Encapsulated porcine islet transplantation: an evolving therapy for the treatment of type I diabetes.
BACKGROUND
Allogeneic tissue-based therapies for Type I diabetes have demonstrated efficacy but are limited due to tissue-sourcing constraints, as the number of patients exceeds that of tissue donors. Porcine islets derived from designated pathogen-free sources could be an alternative, particularly if delivered in a way that evades the host immune system's rejection.


METHODS
This review focuses on approaches designed to protect xenogeneic islets from immune rejection by provision of perm-selective barriers.


RESULTS
Designated pathogen-free herds could provide a supply of wild-type porcine islets that are well tolerated when administered in a suitable protective delivery vehicle. Such barrier systems have enabled amelioration of diabetes in a variety of animal models and preliminary evidence suggests that similar results could be attained in humans.


CONCLUSIONS
With advances in biomaterial design, source tissue selection, and the evolution of critical cell processing techniques, contemporary encapsulated porcine islet therapies offer a new level of clinical promise.
Thanos
C G
CG
Brown University, Department of Molecular Pharmacology, Physiology and Biotechnology, Providence, RI 02912, USA. cgthanos@gmail.com
Elliott
R B
RB
D000818:Animals; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D020077:Endogenous Retroviruses / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006084:Graft Rejection; D006801:Humans; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D019397:Pancreas, Artificial; D013047:Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; D013552:Swine / Q000821:virology; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous