Microneedle Delivery of Beta-Cells Avoids Host Immune Rejection
|
By LabMedica International staff writers Posted on 28 Mar 2016 |
|
Image: A scanning electron microscopic (SEM) image of the microneedle-array beta-cell patch (Photo courtesy of Dr. Zhen Gu, University of North Carolina).
A novel skin patch filled with living insulin-secreting beta cells was shown to regulate glucose levels in a mouse diabetes model for up to 10 hours while avoiding adverse immune responses.
Attempts to treat diabetes by transplanting beta-cells have not been particularly successful, since most transplants are rejected and the medications used to suppress the immune system interfere with the activity of beta cells and insulin.
Investigators at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, USA) and North Carolina State University (Raleigh, USA) devised a way to protect foreign beta cells from attack by the immune system.
They described in the March 1, 2016, online edition of the journal Advanced Materials an innovative microneedle (MN)-based cell therapy device that enabled glucose-responsive regulation of the insulin secretion from exogenous pancreatic beta-cells without implantation.
The device was a synthetic patch comprising hundreds of biocompatible microneedles, each packed with thousands of alginate encapsulated beta-cells and culture media. When applied to the skin, the microneedles pierced capillaries and dermal blood vessels, forming a connection between the internal environment and the external cells of the patch that enabled diffusion of insulin from the patch into the skin.
Results revealed that one microneedle patch quickly reduced the blood-sugar levels (BGLs) of chemically induced type-1 diabetic mice and stabilized BGLs at a reduced level for over 10 hours. Repeated administration of the patch did not result in excess doses of insulin and did not induce hypoglycemia. Rather, application of a second patch extended the life of the treatment to 20 hours.
“This study provides a potential solution for the tough problem of rejection, which has long plagued studies on pancreatic cell transplants for diabetes,” said senior author Dr. Zhen Gu, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the University of North Carolina. “Plus, it demonstrates that we can build a bridge between the physiological signals within the body and these therapeutic cells outside the body to keep glucose levels under control.”
Related Links:
University of North Carolina
North Carolina State University
Attempts to treat diabetes by transplanting beta-cells have not been particularly successful, since most transplants are rejected and the medications used to suppress the immune system interfere with the activity of beta cells and insulin.
Investigators at the University of North Carolina (Chapel Hill, USA) and North Carolina State University (Raleigh, USA) devised a way to protect foreign beta cells from attack by the immune system.
They described in the March 1, 2016, online edition of the journal Advanced Materials an innovative microneedle (MN)-based cell therapy device that enabled glucose-responsive regulation of the insulin secretion from exogenous pancreatic beta-cells without implantation.
The device was a synthetic patch comprising hundreds of biocompatible microneedles, each packed with thousands of alginate encapsulated beta-cells and culture media. When applied to the skin, the microneedles pierced capillaries and dermal blood vessels, forming a connection between the internal environment and the external cells of the patch that enabled diffusion of insulin from the patch into the skin.
Results revealed that one microneedle patch quickly reduced the blood-sugar levels (BGLs) of chemically induced type-1 diabetic mice and stabilized BGLs at a reduced level for over 10 hours. Repeated administration of the patch did not result in excess doses of insulin and did not induce hypoglycemia. Rather, application of a second patch extended the life of the treatment to 20 hours.
“This study provides a potential solution for the tough problem of rejection, which has long plagued studies on pancreatic cell transplants for diabetes,” said senior author Dr. Zhen Gu, assistant professor of biomedical engineering at the University of North Carolina. “Plus, it demonstrates that we can build a bridge between the physiological signals within the body and these therapeutic cells outside the body to keep glucose levels under control.”
Related Links:
University of North Carolina
North Carolina State University
New
Platinum Member
Flu SARS-CoV-2 Combo Test
OSOM® Flu SARS-CoV-2 Combo Test
POCT Fluorescent Immunoassay Analyzer
FIA Go
New
Gold Member
Fully Automated Cell Density/Viability Analyzer
BioProfile FAST CDV
Latest BioResearch News
- Genome Analysis Predicts Likelihood of Neurodisability in Oxygen-Deprived Newborns
- Gene Panel Predicts Disease Progession for Patients with B-cell Lymphoma
- New Method Simplifies Preparation of Tumor Genomic DNA Libraries
- New Tool Developed for Diagnosis of Chronic HBV Infection
- Panel of Genetic Loci Accurately Predicts Risk of Developing Gout
- Disrupted TGFB Signaling Linked to Increased Cancer-Related Bacteria
- Gene Fusion Protein Proposed as Prostate Cancer Biomarker
- NIV Test to Diagnose and Monitor Vascular Complications in Diabetes
- Semen Exosome MicroRNA Proves Biomarker for Prostate Cancer
- Genetic Loci Link Plasma Lipid Levels to CVD Risk
- Newly Identified Gene Network Aids in Early Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Link Confirmed between Living in Poverty and Developing Diseases
- Genomic Study Identifies Kidney Disease Loci in Type I Diabetes Patients
- Liquid Biopsy More Effective for Analyzing Tumor Drug Resistance Mutations
- New Liquid Biopsy Assay Reveals Host-Pathogen Interactions
- Method Developed for Enriching Trophoblast Population in Samples
Channels
Clinical Chemistry
view channel
New ADLM Guidance Provides Expert Recommendations on Clinical Testing For Respiratory Viral Infections
Respiratory tract infections, predominantly caused by viral pathogens, are a common reason for healthcare visits. Accurate and swift diagnosis of these infections is essential for optimal patient management.... Read more
3D Printed Point-Of-Care Mass Spectrometer Outperforms State-Of-The-Art Models
Mass spectrometry is a precise technique for identifying the chemical components of a sample and has significant potential for monitoring chronic illness health states, such as measuring hormone levels... Read more.jpg "Image: Reaching speeds up to 6,000 RPM, this centrifuge forms the basis for a new type of inexpensive, POC biomedical test (Photo courtesy of Duke University)")
POC Biomedical Test Spins Water Droplet Using Sound Waves for Cancer Detection
Exosomes, tiny cellular bioparticles carrying a specific set of proteins, lipids, and genetic materials, play a crucial role in cell communication and hold promise for non-invasive diagnostics.... Read more
Highly Reliable Cell-Based Assay Enables Accurate Diagnosis of Endocrine Diseases
The conventional methods for measuring free cortisol, the body's stress hormone, from blood or saliva are quite demanding and require sample processing. The most common method, therefore, involves collecting... Read moreMolecular Diagnostics
view channel.jpg "Image: Illustration representing DELFI approach for lung cancer detection (Photo courtesy of Cancer Discovery)"){kind=small}
AI Technology-Based Blood Test Identifies Lung Cancer Earlier
Lung cancer stands as the most lethal cancer in the United States, as reported by the National Cancer Institute, and holds a similar status globally, according to the World Health Organization.... Read more.tmb-0945x532.jpg "Image: The ultra-sensitive blood test detects tiny amounts of cancer DNA left in the body after treatment for early breast cancer (Photo courtesy of ICR)")
Ultra-Sensitive Blood Test Predicts Breast Cancer Recurrence Months or Even Years before Relapse
Breast cancer cells can linger in the body after surgery and other treatments, sometimes in such low quantities that follow-up scans fail to detect them. These cells can cause a recurrence of breast cancer... Read more
_2.jpeg "Image: Microscopic view of the HPV human papillomavirus that causes cervical cancer (credit: Adobe Stock Images)")
Hematology
view channel
Next Generation Instrument Screens for Hemoglobin Disorders in Newborns
Hemoglobinopathies, the most widespread inherited conditions globally, affect about 7% of the population as carriers, with 2.7% of newborns being born with these conditions. The spectrum of clinical manifestations... Read more
First 4-in-1 Nucleic Acid Test for Arbovirus Screening to Reduce Risk of Transfusion-Transmitted Infections
Arboviruses represent an emerging global health threat, exacerbated by climate change and increased international travel that is facilitating their spread across new regions. Chikungunya, dengue, West... Read more
POC Finger-Prick Blood Test Determines Risk of Neutropenic Sepsis in Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
Neutropenia, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell crucial for fighting infections), is a frequent side effect of certain cancer treatments. This condition elevates the risk of infections,... Read more
First Affordable and Rapid Test for Beta Thalassemia Demonstrates 99% Diagnostic Accuracy
Hemoglobin disorders rank as some of the most prevalent monogenic diseases globally. Among various hemoglobin disorders, beta thalassemia, a hereditary blood disorder, affects about 1.5% of the world's... Read moreImmunology
view channel.jpg "Image: The AI tool predicts whether someone’s cancer will respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors (Photo courtesy of National Cancer Institute)")
AI Tool Predicts Cancer Patients’ Response to Immunotherapy
Immune checkpoint inhibitors are a form of immunotherapy drug that enables immune cells to target and destroy cancer cells. At present, the Food and Drug Administration has approved two predictive biomarkers... Read more
Molecular Profiling Improves Diagnosis for Children with High Risk Cancers
Cancer remains the leading cause of disease-related death among children in most developed nations, and approximately one-fourth of these patients are diagnosed with aggressive, high-risk, or relapsed... Read more
.jpg "Image: The AI predictive model identifies the most potent cancer killing immune cells for use in immunotherapies (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)")
Microbiology
view channel
POC STI Test Shortens Time from ED Arrival to Test Results
In a 2024 sexually transmitted infections (STIs) surveillance report by the World Health Organization (WHO), over 2.5 million cases were recorded, alongside a rise in the inappropriate use of antibiotics... Read more
Integrated Solution Ushers New Era of Automated Tuberculosis Testing
Tuberculosis (TB) is responsible for 1.3 million deaths every year, positioning it as one of the top killers globally due to a single infectious agent. In 2022, around 10.6 million people were diagnosed... Read more
Automated Sepsis Test System Enables Rapid Diagnosis for Patients with Severe Bloodstream Infections
Sepsis affects up to 50 million people globally each year, with bacteraemia, formerly known as blood poisoning, being a major cause. In the United States alone, approximately two million individuals are... Read more
Enhanced Rapid Syndromic Molecular Diagnostic Solution Detects Broad Range of Infectious Diseases
GenMark Diagnostics (Carlsbad, CA, USA), a member of the Roche Group (Basel, Switzerland), has rebranded its ePlex® system as the cobas eplex system. This rebranding under the globally renowned cobas name... Read morePathology
view channel
Noninvasive Technology Detects Rare Cancer Cells in Blood
Historically, analyzing circulating tumor cells (CTCs) required invasive methods like blood draws, which often missed rare CTCs or multicellular CTC clusters (CTCCs) known for their high metastatic potential.... Read more
AI Tool Detects Tiny Protein Clumps in Microscopy Images in Real-Time
Over 55 million individuals worldwide suffer from dementia-related diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. These conditions are caused by the clumping together of the smallest building blocks in the... Read more
New Tool Enables Better Classification of Inherited Disease-Causing Variants
Whole genome and exome sequencing are increasingly available for clinical research, aiding in the detection of inherited genetic variants that may cause various diseases. The American College of Medical... Read more
Groundbreaking CRISPR Screen Technology Rapidly Determines Disease Mechanism from Tissues
Thanks to over a decade of advancements in human genetics, scientists have compiled extensive lists of genetic variations linked to a wide array of human diseases. However, understanding how a gene contributes... Read moreTechnology
view channel
Microneedle Patch Detects Skin Cancer Early
Wearable bioelectronics has emerged as a significant innovation in healthcare, especially in the field of biosensing, providing a new method to monitor individual health for both diagnostic and therapeutic purposes.... Read more
New Diagnostic System Achieves PCR Testing Accuracy
While PCR tests are the gold standard of accuracy for virology testing, they come with limitations such as complexity, the need for skilled lab operators, and longer result times. They also require complex... Read more
Industry
view channel
Roche and Hitachi High-Tech Extend 46-Year Partnership for Breakthroughs in Diagnostic Testing
Roche (Basel, Switzerland) and Hitachi High-Tech (Tokyo, Japan) have renewed their collaboration agreement, committing to a further 10 years of partnership. This extension brings together their long-standing... Read more
Danaher and Johns Hopkins University Collaborate to Improve Neurological Diagnosis
Unlike severe traumatic brain injury (TBI), mild TBI often does not show clear correlations with abnormalities detected through head computed tomography (CT) scans. Consequently, there is a pressing need... Read more
Beckman Coulter and MeMed Expand Host Immune Response Diagnostics Partnership
Beckman Coulter Diagnostics (Brea, CA, USA) and MeMed BV (Haifa, Israel) have expanded their host immune response diagnostics partnership. Beckman Coulter is now an authorized distributor of the MeMed... Read more_1.jpg "Image: Thermo Fisher will distribute Bio-Techne products across Europe (Photo courtesy of 123RF)")
