Extracellular Matrix-Guided Islet Cell Transplantation Results in Improved Glycemic Control in a. NOD-SCID Mouse Model

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Ruchama Korol - , Betalin Therapeutics (Author)
  • Sharona Even-Ram - , Betalin Therapeutics (Author)
  • Kfir Molakandov - , Kadimastem Ltd. (Author)
  • Dmitry Puchinsky - , Betalin Therapeutics (Author)
  • Maayan Hemed - , Betalin Therapeutics (Author)
  • Noam Mizrahi - , Betalin Therapeutics (Author)
  • Itzik Toledo - , Kadimastem Ltd. (Author)
  • Daniel Lazar - , Kadimastem Ltd. (Author)
  • Judith Chebath - , Kadimastem Ltd. (Author)
  • Moshe Tritel - , Tritel Patents, Ltd. (Author)
  • Racheli Ofir - , Betalin Therapeutics (Author)
  • Barbara Ludwig - , Department of Internal Medicine III, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID) of the Helmholtz Center Munich (Author)
  • Michel Revel - , Kadimastem Ltd. (Author)
  • A. M.James Shapiro - , University of Alberta (Author)
  • Stefan R. Bornstein - , Department of Internal Medicine III, Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus Dresden, King's College London (KCL), Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden (PLID) of the Helmholtz Center Munich, Inselspital University Hospital Bern (Author)

Abstract

Current insulin therapy fails to fully restore physiological glucose homeostasis in type 1 diabetes mellitus, with 75% of patients unable to achieve the desired management targets. While stem cell-derived islets offer promising therapy, they require an enhanced extracellular matrix support for optimal transplantation outcomes. To address this challenge, we developed biofunctional endocrine micro-pancreata using decellularized porcine lung scaffolds seeded with embryonic stem cell-derived islets. In vivo efficacy was evaluated following subcutaneous or intraperitoneal transplantation into NOD-SCID mice, followed by streptozotocin induction of diabetes, with the comprehensive assessment of human insulin secretion, glucose homeostasis, and graft integration over 3 months. Our results demonstrated that endocrine micro-pancreata exhibited 1.4-fold-increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in vitro compared to non-responsive free islets. In vivo, endocrine micro-pancreas recipients maintained significantly lower glucose levels than controls throughout the experiment. Subcutaneous endocrine micro-pancreata showed superior performance, with 46% improved glucose tolerance versus 31% improvement for intraperitoneal delivery. Extensive CD31-positive neovascularization as well as insulin staining confirmed successful graft integration and sustained insulin production. Endocrine micro-pancreata provide a scalable platform for diabetes cell therapy, demonstrating sustained insulin secretion and improved glycemic control. The preserved extracellular matrix microenvironment supports islet function and vascularization, offering significant potential for clinical translation.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)697-704
Number of pages8
JournalHormone and metabolic research
Volume57
Issue number12
Early online date26 Nov 2025
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2025
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

PubMed 41297833