Scientists have identified one way of making a frustratingly tricky transplant – of insulin-producing “islets of Langerhans” into patients with Type 1 diabetes – more successful.
Clinical islet transplantation involves the isolation of pancreatic islets of Langerhans from the pancreases of deceased organ donors, and deceased organ donors are in extremely short supply.
The team found that islets are severely handicapped from the outset. Before they ever reach their mark, they are full of inflammatory molecules, much like stressed or damaged tissue.
Researchers can now investigate the potential to treat islets with anti-inflammatory compounds prior to transplantation.
Read more at Garvan Institute