Large Mammalian Model for Extrahepatic Langerhans Transplantation for the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes

Proceedings of ‏The 2nd International Conference on Advanced Research in Applied Science and Engineering

Year: 2020

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.33422/2nd.rase.2020.03.100

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Large Mammalian Model for Extrahepatic Langerhans Transplantation for the Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes

George Kenchadze, Ivane abiatari, Ekaterine Berishvili and Anzor Tchavtchavadze

ABSTRACT: 

Beta-cell replacement therapy, by transplantation of isolated islets of Langerhans offers a physiologic alternative to subcutaneous insulin injections in treatment of treatment of type 1 diabetes. Successful beta-cell replacement provides excellent metabolic control without severe hypoglycemic episodes, a clear advantage compared to intensive insulin therapy. Islet transplantation is currently performed into the liver via intraportal access.  However, the intrahepatic site and the intraportal route are associated with suboptimal islet engraftment, due to the proinflammatory microenvironment represented by the liver and by the procoagulant activity of the intraportal location. It has been estimated that >50% of the islet graft is lost at the time of the transplant procedure. This is exemplified by the fact that islets isolated from multiple donors, and thus multiple islet injections are required to achieve graft success. For this reason, the identification of alternative, extrahepatic islet graft implantation sites are considered as a priority in the field.Based on our previous research where our team, headed by Professor Berishvili Bernie created a successful rodent model of transplantation of islets inserted into isolated venous sacs we have created a similar model in large mammals.We demonstrated that pancreatic islets successfully engrafted in the isolated venous sac with potential ability to restore euglycemia in diabetic Dogs. Therefore, the isolated venous sac offers a new site for transplantation of pancreatic islets. This would be clinically beneficial as an alternative to intrahepatic islet transplantation.

Keywords: Islets, Pancreas, Intravascular transplantation.