Injectable microencapsulated islet cells as a bioartificial pancreas

Abstract

Rat islets encapsulated in semipermeable membranes remained viable in culture for 4 months. Multiple allotransplants of islets encapsulated in alginate-polylysine-polyethyleneimine membranes restored normoglycemia in recipient diabetic rats for most of a 90-day experimental period. Each individual transplant restored normal fasting plasma glucose levels for 15–20 d. The failure of the encapsulated islets was caused by an inflammatory response induced by polyethyleneimine. In contrast a single transplant of islets encapsulated in a biocompatible alginate-polylysine-alginate membrane restored normoglycemia in recipient animals for up to 10 months. Capsules with intact membranes and containing viable islets were recovered from the abdominal cavity 5 months post-transplantation. SEM studies on capsule membranes revealed essentially smooth surfaces. Differences between wet and dry wall thicknesses indicated that the membrane is a hydrogel, 4.00±0.28 μm thick in an aqueous environment. The clinical potential of transplanting cells encapsulated in biocompatible semipermeable hydrogel membranes is demonstrated by this study.