title: Multilayer nanoencapsulation: a nanomedicine technology for diabetes research and management.
abstract: Nanothickness encapsulation using a layer-by-layer technique has applications in several areas of diabetes research, including improved glucose sensors, islet cell transplantation and oral insulin delivery. We have fabricated microvesicles containing a fluorescence lifetime-based glucose sensing system, with bacterial glucose-binding protein as the glucose receptor. Such sensors are suitable for impregnation in the dermis as a 'smart tattoo' type of non-invasive glucose monitoring technology. Nanoencapsulation of islet cells is intended to alleviate the immediate blood-mediated inflammatory reaction which is responsible for early islet loss post-transplant. In an allogeneic diabetic mouse model, nanoencapsulated islets with phosporylcholine-modified polysaccharide coating, significantly extended survival of transplanted islets. In early studies aimed at formulating an effective oral insulin preparation, insulin-chitosan colloids coated with nanolayers of chitosan and heparin had enhanced acid stability and effectively lowered blood glucose in an animal model.
authors.affiliation: Diabetes Research Group, King's College London School of Medicine, Guy's Hospital, London SE1 1UL, UK.
authors.forename: Zheng-Liang
authors.initials: ZL
authors.lastname: Zhi
authors.forename: Faaizah
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Pickup
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D048271:Chitosan / Q000737:chemistry; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006493:Heparin / Q000737:chemistry; D007328:Insulin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology; D050997:Nanomedicine / Q000379:methods*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D006493:Heparin; D048271:Chitosan