It has been known for decades that encapsulation can protect transplanted islets from immune destruction in rodents, but it has proved difficult to extend this success to large animals and humans. A new study in this issue by Jacobs-Tulleneers-Thevissen et al (doi: 10.1007/s00125-013-2906-0) advances the field by showing that human islets contained in alginate capsules can function very well, not only in the peritoneal cavity of mice, but also in a human with type 1 diabetes. Many obstacles must still be overcome, but this technology has the potential to safely protect transplanted beta cells from autoimmunity and allorejection. © 2013 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.
CITATION STYLE
Weir, G. C. (2013, July). Islet encapsulation: Advances and obstacles. Diabetologia. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-013-2921-1
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