Implant Infused with Oxygen Maintains Insulin-Producing Cells in Rats, Absence of Immunosuppression Required

In a significant breakthrough for diabetes research, a new system called the BioElectronics-Assisted Macroencapsulation (BEAM) system has shown promising results in keeping insulin-producing cells alive and functional under severe hypoxia. Developed by Dr. Minglin Ma's lab in collaboration with Giner Inc., this system could revolutionize the treatment of Type I diabetes (TID).

TID is a condition where the body's immune system destroys the pancreatic β-cells that produce insulin. Currently, people with TID manage the condition through daily insulin injections or pumps, but even with treatment, the disease can lead to life-threatening complications.

The BEAM system is engineered to be immune protective and designed to last for a long time without fouling of the membrane. It combines an electrochemical oxygen generator with a scalable, linear cell pouch for continuous oxygen supply to the encapsulated cells. This continuous supply of oxygen may be vital for the long-term function of pancreatic islets in cell encapsulation systems.

In an allogeneic rat model, the oxygenated BEAM system reversed diabetes for up to three months without immunosuppression, while non-oxygenated controls remained hyperglycemic. This suggests that the BEAM system could offer an immunosuppression-free strategy to protect transplanted cells, which is imperative to fully harness the potential of cell therapy for curing TID.

The BEAM system kept rat insulinoma (INS-1) cell aggregates and primary human pancreatic islets alive and functional under severe hypoxia at a high packing density of 60,000 islet equivalents per milliliter. This is a significant achievement, as most cell replacement therapies fail due to insufficient oxygen within the encapsulated cells after implantation.

For the two million Americans with Type I diabetes, the BEAM system could someday shift cell therapy from experimental to routine care. Linda Tempelman, a key figure in the BEAM system's development, envisions broader applications for the system, including long-term treatment of conditions where the body is missing something.

The team plans to scale up to pig studies and eventually human trials. If successful, the BEAM system could bring a century-old dream of an insulin-free life closer to reality. Without insulin, the body cannot deliver glucose into muscle and tissue cells to generate energy. The BEAM system's potential to provide a sustainable source of insulin could transform the lives of those with TID.

Macroencapsulation, a strategy for cell replacement therapy, involves housing insulin-producing cells within a semipermeable device that shields them from the immune system. The BEAM system's ability to provide a continuous supply of oxygen to these encapsulated cells could make it a game-changer in this field.

Developing an immunosuppression-free strategy to protect transplanted cells is crucial for the full potential of cell therapy to be realized. The BEAM system, with its immune protective design and long-lasting functionality, could be a significant step towards achieving this goal.

Implant Infused with Oxygen Maintains Insulin-Producing Cells in Rats, Absence of Immunosuppression Required