Work

Treatment of diabetes with encapsulated pig islets: an update on current developments

Year: 2015

Type: review

Abstract: The potential use of allogeneic islet transplantation in curing type 1 diabetes mellitus has been adequately demonstrated, but its large-scale application is limited by the short supply of donor islets and the need for sustained and heavy immunosuppressive therapy. Encapsulation of pig islets was therefore suggested with a view to providing a possible alternative source of islet grafts and avoiding chronic immunosuppression and associated adverse or toxic effects. Nevertheless, several vital elements should be taken into account before this therapy becomes a clinical reality, including cell sources, encapsulation approaches, and implantation sites. This paper provides a comprehensive review of xenotransplantation of encapsulated pig islets for the treatment of type 1 diabetes mellitus, including current research findings and suggestions for future studies.

Source: Journal of Zhejiang University SCIENCE B

DOI: 10.1631/jzus.b1400310

Authors: Hai-tao Zhu, Lu Lu, Xing-yu Liu, Liang Yu, Yi Lyu, Bo Wang

Institutions: Jilin University, Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an Jiaotong University

Language: English

Topic: Pancreatic function and diabetes

Subfield: Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

Funder: National Natural Science Foundation of China