Synthetic "smart gel" provides glucose-responsive insulin delivery in diabetic mice.

ABSTRACT: Although previous studies have attempted to create "electronics-free" insulin delivery systems using glucose oxidase and sugar-binding lectins as a glucose-sensing mechanism, no successful clinical translation has hitherto been made. These protein-based materials are intolerant of long-term use and storage because of their denaturing and/or cytotoxic properties. We provide a solution by designing a protein-free and totally synthetic material-based approach. Capitalizing on the sugar-responsive properties of boronic acid, we have established a synthetic polymer gel-based insulin delivery device confined within a single catheter, which exhibits an artificial pancreas-like function in vivo. Subcutaneous implantation of the device in healthy and diabetic mice establishes a closed-loop system c

SUBMITTER: Matsumoto A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5706739 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature