Strategies to Prevent Islet Loss By Reducing Inflammation
Background:
When you get a splinter in your finger, the skin around it usually turns red and becomes inflamed. That’s your immune system at work trying to protect you from germs that could enter your body.
That response – the inflammation – also happens when insulin-producing islet cells (or other tissues) are transplanted into a diabetes patient. The problem is that inflammation can adversely affect the survival and function of the islet cells. So, scientists here at the Diabetes Research Institute are trying to find ways to reduce or prevent the inflammatory response.
Research Focus:
One approach involves the use of nano-technology. Our researchers are layering a microscopically-thin, “nanoscale” coating directly to the surface of the islet cell and attaching anti-inflammatory molecules to that coating. Those molecules then reduce adverse reactions to transplant stress, such as clot formation and leukocyte (white blood cell) infiltration.
In a second approach, our scientists are studying Mesenchymal (pronounced mez•en•CHY•mal) stem cells, or MSCs, for their potential to reduce inflammation. MSCs are found in the bone marrow and in other tissues. They are characterized as “self repairing” stem cells because they have the ability to:
· Repair damaged tissue
· Stimulate the growth of blood vessels
· Significantly reduce inflammation
These characteristics mean MSCs can enhance cell survival and function - which is critical to the long-term viability of cell-based therapies for the treatment of diabetes.
In experimental studies at the DRI, we’ve co-transplanted mesenchymal stem cells alongside insulin-producing islet cells. In the studies, MSCs demonstrated their potential to enhance acceptance and prolong the viability of the transplanted cells.
In other studies, these mesenchymal stem cells have been instrumental in repairing damaged tissue. They have also shown the ability to stimulate the growth of blood vessels, as well as significantly reduce inflammation, suppress the immune response to transplanted cells and may also support the production of new insulin-producing cells.
Leading to a Cure: How this Research Supports our Mission
Both MSCs and the use of nanotechnology have the potential to reduce inflammation, allowing more islets to survive and function longer. With them, we could use fewer cells for each patient, which would increase the supply for others.