title: Transplantation of human islets without immunosuppression.
abstract: Transplantation of pancreatic islets is emerging as a successful treatment for type-1 diabetes. Its current stringent restriction to patients with critical metabolic lability is justified by the long-term need for immunosuppression and a persistent shortage of donor organs. We developed an oxygenated chamber system composed of immune-isolating alginate and polymembrane covers that allows for survival and function of islets without immunosuppression. A patient with type-1 diabetes received a transplanted chamber and was followed for 10 mo. Persistent graft function in this chamber system was demonstrated, with regulated insulin secretion and preservation of islet morphology and function without any immunosuppressive therapy. This approach may allow for future widespread application of cell-based therapies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine III and Department of Visceral, Thorax, and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, D-01307 Dresden, Germany.
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ludwig
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Reichel
authors.forename: Anja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Steffen
authors.forename: Baruch
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zimerman
authors.forename: Andrew V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Schally
authors.forename: Norman L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Block
authors.forename: Clark K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Colton
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ludwig
authors.forename: Stephan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kersting
authors.forename: Ezio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bonifacio
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Solimena
authors.forename: Zohar
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Gendler
authors.forename: Avi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rotem
authors.forename: Uriel
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Barkai
authors.forename: Stefan R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Bornstein
mesh_terms: D021522:Bioartificial Organs; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000378:metabolism; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000628:therapy*; D015194:Diffusion Chambers, Culture; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy / Q000379:methods; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D002096:C-Peptide
keywords: immune barrier; oxygenation; β-cell replacement