Rat Islet pECM Hydrogel-Based Microencapsulation: A Protective Niche for Xenotransplantation.

ABSTRACT: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, resulting in insulin deficiency. While islet transplantation presents a potential therapeutic approach, its clinical application is impeded by limited donor availability and the risk of immune rejection. This study proposes an innovative islet encapsulation strategy that utilizes decellularized porcine pancreatic extracellular matrix (pECM) as the sole biomaterial to engineer bioactive, immunoprotective microcapsules. Rat islets were encapsulated within pECM-based microcapsules using the electrospray technology and were compared to conventional alginate-based microcapsules in terms of viability, function, and response to hypoxic stress. The pECM microcapsules maintained a spherical morphology, demonst

SUBMITTER: Skitel Moshe M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12295616 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature