Type 1 diabetes reversed by new cell transplantation technique

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"Transplanting insulin-producing cells along with engineered blood-vessel-forming cells has successfully reversed type 1 diabetes, according to a new preclinical study. With further testing, the novel approach could one day cure the as-yet incurable condition. ...

Now, researchers ... a study where they transplanted islets along with engineered blood-vessel-forming cells – successfully reversing diabetes in mice.

“This work lays the foundation for subcutaneous [under the skin] islet transplants as a relatively safe and durable treatment option for type 1 diabetes,” ..."

"... A substantial majority of diabetic mice transplanted with islets-plus-R-VECs regained normal body weight and showed normal blood glucose control even after 20 weeks—a period that for this mouse model of diabetes suggests an effectively permanent islet engraftment. Mice that received islets but no R-VECs fared much less well. ..."

From the abstract:

"Tissue-specific endothelial cells (ECs) are critical for the homeostasis of pancreatic islets and most other tissues. In vitro recapitulation of islet biology and therapeutic islet transplantation both require adequate vascularization, which remains a challenge.

Using human reprogrammed vascular ECs (R-VECs), human islets were functionally vascularized in vitro, demonstrating responsive, dynamic glucose-stimulated insulin secretion and Ca2+ influx.

Subcutaneous transplantation of islets with R-VECs reversed hyperglycemia in diabetic mice, with high levels of human insulin detected within recipient serum and relapses of hyperglycemia following graft removal. Examination of retrieved grafts demonstrated that engrafted human islets were mainly vascularized by the cotransplanted R-VECs, which had anastomosed with the host microcirculation. Notably, single-cell RNA-sequencing revealed that R-VECs, when cocultured with islets, acquired islet EC-specific characteristics. Together, R-VECs establish an adaptable vascular niche that supports islet homeostasis both in vitro and in vivo."

Type 1 diabetes reversed by new cell transplantation technique

Islet Transplantation with Blood Vessel Cells Shows Promise to Treat Type 1 Diabetes (original news release)

Vascularization of human islets by adaptable endothelium for durable and functional subcutaneous engraftment (open access)

Fig. 1. R-VECs form perfusable blood vessels in microchambers and TransWells.