3D Printed Vascularized Device for Subcutaneous Transplantation of Human Islets

Marco Farina, Andrea Ballerini, Daniel W. Fraga, Eugenia Nicolov, Matthew Hogan, Danilo Demarchi, Francesco Scaglione, Omaima M. Sabek, Philip Horner, Usha Thekkedath, Osama A. Gaber, Alessandro Grattoni

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

70 Scopus citations

Abstract

Transplantation of pancreatic islets or stem cell derived insulin secreting cells is an attractive treatment strategy for diabetes. However, islet transplantation is associated with several challenges including function-loss associated with dispersion and limited vascularization as well as the need for continuous immunosuppression. To overcome these limitations, here we present a novel 3D printed and functionalized encapsulation system for subcutaneous engraftment of islets or islet like cells. The devices were 3D printed with polylactic acid and the surfaces treated and patterned to increase the hydrophilicity, cell attachment, and proliferation. Surface treated encapsulation systems were implanted with growth factor enriched platelet gel, which helped to create a vascularized environment before loading human islets. The device protected the encapsulated islets from acute hypoxia and kept them functional. The adaptability of the encapsulation system was demonstrated by refilling some of the experimental groups transcutaneously with additional islets.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1700169
JournalBiotechnology Journal
Volume12
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - Sep 2017

Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • diabetes
  • encapsulations
  • islets
  • transplantations

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology
  • Molecular Medicine

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