Current and Future Perspectives on Alginate Encapsulated Pancreatic Islet

Abstract

Transplantation of pancreatic islets in immune protective capsules holds the promise as a functional cure for type 1 diabetes, also about 40 years after the first proof of principal study. The concept is simple in using semipermeable capsules that allow the ingress of oxygen and nutrients, but limit the access of the immune system. Encapsulated human islets have been evaluated in four small clinical trials where the procedure has been evaluated as safe, but lacking long‐term efficacy. Host reactions toward the biomaterials used in the capsules may be one parameter limiting the long‐term function of the graft in humans. The present article briefly discusses important capsule properties such as stability, permeability and biocompatibility, as well as possible strategies to overcome current challenges. Also, recent progress in capsule development as well as the production of insulin‐producing cells from human stem cells that gives promising perspectives for the transplantation of encapsulated insulin‐producing tissue is briefly discussed. Stem Cells Translational Medicine 2017;6:1053–1058

Validation of Current Good Manufacturing Practice Compliant Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Hepatocytes for Cell-Based Therapy

“…To assess the broader translational potential of cGMP‐compliant hPSC‐derived hepatocytes for cell‐based therapies aimed at ALF, we carried out microencapsulation of hPSC‐Heps within alginate; a methodology that allows transplanted cells to be isolated from the recipient's immune responses . Successful encapsulation of hepatocytes within alginate hydrogels has been reported .…”

Assessment of porcine endogenous retrovirus transmission across an alginate barrier used for the encapsulation of porcine islets

“…However, the permeability of the device is thought to be related more to the gelling solution, rather than the alginate concentration. 19 In addition, the perme- Linda Scobie http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0727-7163…”

A Preview of Selected Articles

“…Gene expression analysis and functional assays demonstrated the mature differentiation of the cells seeded in 3D scaffolds, confirming this strategy as a potentially safe and scalable technique for safety and drug development studies. Furthermore, the authors explored an encapsulation technique, which allows isolation of the transplanted cells from a patient's immune system . These alginate encapsulated hPSC‐Heps were transplanted into immune competent and immune deficient mice.…”