title: Extracellular Matrix Scaffold Technology for Bioartificial Pancreas Engineering: State of the Art and Future Challenges.
abstract: Emergent technologies in regenerative medicine may soon overcome the limitations of conventional diabetes therapies. Collaborative efforts across the subfields of stem cell technology, islet encapsulation, and biomaterial carriers seek to produce a bioengineered pancreas capable of restoring endocrine function in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes. These technologies rely on a robust understanding of the extracellular matrix (ECM), the supportive 3-dimensional network of proteins necessary for cellular attachment, proliferation, and differentiation. Although these functions can be partially approximated by biosynthetic carriers, novel decellularization protocols have allowed researchers to discover the advantages afforded by the native pancreatic ECM. The native ECM has proven to be an optimal platform for recellularization and whole-organ pancreas bioengineering, an exciting new field with the potential to resolve the dire shortage of transplantable organs. This review seeks to contextualize recent findings, discuss current research goals, and identify future challenges of regenerative medicine as it applies to diabetes management.
authors.affiliation: Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, UK.
authors.forename: Marcus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Salvatori
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Ravi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Katari
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Timil
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Patel
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Peloso
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mugweru
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA.
authors.forename: Kofi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Owusu
authors.affiliation: Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC, USA gorlando@wakehealth.edu.
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Orlando
keywords: bioartificial pancreas; diabetes mellitus; extracellular matrix; insulin; regenerative medicine; stem cells