title: Advances in islet encapsulation technologies.
abstract: Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder in which the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing islet cells of the pancreas. Although islet transplantation has proved to be successful for some patients with type 1 diabetes, its widespread use is limited by islet donor shortage and the requirement for lifelong immunosuppression. An encapsulation strategy that can prevent the rejection of xenogeneic islets or of stem cell-derived allogeneic islets can potentially eliminate both of these barriers. Although encapsulation technology has met several challenges, the convergence of expertise in materials, nanotechnology, stem cell biology and immunology is allowing us to get closer to the goal of encapsulated islet cell therapy for humans.
authors.affiliation: University of California, San Francisco, Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, Byers Hall Rm 203C, MC 2520, 1700 4th Street, San Francisco, California 94158-2330, USA.
authors.forename: Tejal
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Desai
authors.affiliation: University of Michigan, Department of Biomedical Engineering, 1119 Carl A. Gerstacker Building, 2200 Bonisteel Boulevard, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2099, USA.
authors.forename: Lonnie D
authors.initials: LD
authors.lastname: Shea
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology*; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000166:cytology; D014019:Tissue Donors / Q000600:supply & distribution