Methods for microencapsulated porcine islet production

Abstract

Allogeneic islet transplantation has become a viable option for the treatment of unstable type 1 diabetes; however, donor shortage and the necessity for immunosuppressive drugs are two major drawbacks of this treatment. Microencapsulated porcine islets can solve both of these drawbacks, and clinical trials have been conducted. Previous clinical trials demonstrated the safety and marginal efficacy of this treatment; therefore, it is necessary to improve its efficacy. The production of microencapsulated porcine islets consists of pancreas procurement, islet isolation, and microencapsulation. In this chapter, we describe our current methods for porcine pancreas procurement, islet isolation, and microencapsulation.