Artificial Cell Encapsulation for Biomaterials and Tissue Bio-Nanoengineering: History, Achievements, Limitations, and Future Work for Potential Clinical Applications and Transplantation

• Published in: Journal of functional biomaterials Vol. 12; no. 4; p. 68
• Main Authors: Mooranian, Armin, Jones, Melissa, Ionescu, Corina Mihaela, Walker, Daniel, Wagle, Susbin Raj, Kovacevic, Bozica, Chester, Jacqueline, Foster, Thomas, Johnston, Edan, Kuthubutheen, Jafri, Brown, Daniel, Mikov, Momir, Al-Salami, Hani
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 30.11.2021; MDPI
• Subjects: artificial cells; Beta cells; Bile; Bioengineering; Biomarkers; Biomaterials; Biomedical materials; Clinical trials; Diabetes; diabetes mellitus; Diabetes mellitus (insulin dependent); Diabetes mellitus (non-insulin dependent); Disease; Drug therapy; Encapsulation; Epidemiology; Glucose; Hyperglycemia; Immunogenicity; Immunosuppressive agents; Inflammation; Insulin; insulinoma cell lines; Islet cells; islet transplantation; Metabolism; Microencapsulation; Nanoengineering; Pancreas; Pancreas transplantation; Pancreatic islet transplantation; Patient compliance; Pharmaceuticals; Physiology; Review; Transplantation; Transplants & implants; encapsulation; insulinoma cell lines; diabetes mellitus; islet transplantation; artificial cells
• ISSN: 2079-4983; 2079-4983
• DOI: 10.3390/jfb12040068

Pancreatic β-cell loss and failure with subsequent deficiency of insulin production is the hallmark of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and late-stage type 2 diabetes (T2D). Despite the availability of parental insulin, serious complications of both types are profound and endemic. One approach to therapy and a potential cure is the immunoisolation of β cells via artificial cell microencapsulation (ACM), with ongoing promising results in human and animal studies that do not depend on immunosuppressive regimens. However, significant challenges remain in the formulation and delivery platforms and potential immunogenicity issues. Additionally, the level of impact on key metabolic and disease biomarkers and long-term benefits from human and animal studies stemming from the encapsulation and delivery of these cells is a subject of continuing debate. The purpose of this review is to summarise key advances in this field of islet transplantation using ACM and to explore future strategies, limitations, and hurdles as well as upcoming developments utilising bioengineering and current clinical trials.