LabMedica

Download Mobile App
Recent News Expo Clinical Chem. Molecular Diagnostics Hematology Immunology Microbiology Pathology Technology Industry Focus

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).
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


New
Gold Member
Latex Test
SLE-Latex Test
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
Integrated Biochemical & Immunological System
Biolumi CX8
New
Hand-Held Immunofluorescence Analyzer
WS-Si1500

DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Molecular Diagnostics

view channel
Image: The RNA-seq based diagnostic test for pediatric leukemia ensures better outcomes for children with this common cancer (Photo courtesy of Qlucore)

RNA-Seq Based Diagnostic Test Enhances Diagnostic Accuracy of Pediatric Leukemia

A new unique test is set to reshape the way Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (BCP-ALL) samples can be analyzed. Qlucore (Lund, Sweden) has launched the first CE-marked RNA-seq based diagnostic test for pediatric... Read more

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A simple blood test could replace surgical biopsies for early detecion of heart transplant rejection (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Detects Organ Rejection in Heart Transplant Patients

Following a heart transplant, patients are required to undergo surgical biopsies so that physicians can assess the possibility of organ rejection. Rejection happens when the recipient’s immune system identifies... Read more
PURITAN MEDICAL