title: Bioartificial pancreas: materials, devices, function, and limitations.
abstract: The term "bioartificial endocrine pancreas" (BEP) was introduced by Anthony Sun in 1980. It was in 1968, however, that Thomas Chang proposed the use of microencapsulated islets as artificial beta-cells. By applying a semipermeable membrane on the top of microcapsules, a system can be produced that is impermeable to viable islet cells and large effector molecules of the immune system, thus providing a protection for transplanted islets against rejection. Since then, the term BEP has not often appeared in papers. Instead, the term "bioartificial pancreas" (BAP) has gained widespread use. In a broader sense, BAP would include an application of suitable endocrine cells and protective polymeric vehicles, but not necessarily providing a filtration barrier of precisely defined properties (e.g., cells injected into a gel of hyaluronate).
authors.affiliation: Chemical Engineering Department, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37235, USA. ales.prokop@mcmail.vanderbilt.edu
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Prokop
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001705:Bioprosthesis / Q000009:adverse effects; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D006801:Humans; D010179:Pancreas / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology; D019397:Pancreas, Artificial / Q000009:adverse effects; D011474:Prosthesis Design
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials