CCL22-expressing Stem Cell-derived Islet Grafts Recruit Regulatory T Cells in Mice.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Cell therapy using human donor or stem cell-derived islets (SC-islets) to replace lost insulin-producing beta (β) cells holds great promise for type 1 diabetes. Recruiting regulatory T cells (Treg) through chemokine signaling could mitigate allo- and autoimmune attack on transplanted β-cells, potentially obviating the need for immunosuppressants. We hypothesized that SC-islets genetically engineered to secrete the chemokine C-C motif chemokine ligand 22 (CCL22) would attract Treg to the site of transplantation and may ultimately prolong graft survival.

Methods

We engineered human embryonic stem cells to express CCL22 and differentiated them into SC-islets. CCL22 + SC-islets were assessed for gene and protein markers of endocrine cells and tested for function in vi

SUBMITTER: Filatov E 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12711295 | biostudies-literature | 2026 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature