Protecting transplanted insulin-producing cells with an immune-blocking coating
Islet encapsulation to elicit localized immunosuppression and immune modulation following transplantation
This project tests a protective coating and a new under-skin transplant site to help preserve transplanted insulin-producing cells for people with Type 1 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Kansas Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Kansas City, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11158811 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From a patient's perspective, researchers are trying to keep transplanted insulin-producing cells alive and working by placing them under the skin in a site prepared with blood vessels and by wrapping the cells in a thin, immune-blocking coating. The coating combines an antioxidant layer, a biocompatible polymer, and a molecule that blocks T cell activation to reduce immune attack. The team will use mouse models and humanized mouse models that include human immune elements to see if the approach prevents rejection without causing a foreign body reaction. If successful, this could point to safer islet transplants that need less systemic immune-suppressing drugs.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with Type 1 diabetes who are eligible for islet transplantation, such as those with unstable blood sugar control or severe hypoglycemia unawareness and who meet transplant center criteria.
Not a fit: Patients who are not candidates for islet transplantation (due to other medical conditions, ongoing infections, or other contraindications) or people without Type 1 diabetes would not benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could prolong the survival and function of transplanted insulin-producing cells and reduce the need for widespread immune-suppressing drugs.
How similar studies have performed: Previous islet encapsulation and transplant studies have shown promise in animal models and small human trials but have struggled with foreign body reactions and limited long-term survival, so this combined antioxidant and immune-blocking coating is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
Kansas City, United States
- University of Kansas Medical Center — Kansas City, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Tse, Hubert M — University of Kansas Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Tse, Hubert M
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.