title: Islet encapsulation: advances and obstacles.
abstract: It has been known for decades that encapsulation can protect transplanted islets from immune destruction in rodents, but it has proved difficult to extend this success to large animals and humans. A new study in this issue by Jacobs-Tulleneers-Thevissen et al (doi: 10.1007/s00125-013-2906-0 ) advances the field by showing that human islets contained in alginate capsules can function very well, not only in the peritoneal cavity of mice, but also in a human with type 1 diabetes. Many obstacles must still be overcome, but this technology has the potential to safely protect transplanted beta cells from autoimmunity and allorejection.
authors: Section on Islet Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Joslin Diabetes Center, One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 02215, USA. gordon.weir@joslin.harvard.edu
authors: G C
authors: GC
authors: Weir
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates / Q000737:chemistry*; D000818:Animals; D002214:Capsules / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000601:surgery; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000737:chemistry / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D002214:Capsules; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D020723:Glucuronic Acid
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