Pancreatic islet transplantation

Systemic glucose homeostasis via transplanted pancreatic islet cells is a therapeutic modality designed to restore endogenous insulin production in patients with Type 1 diabetes mellitus, particularly those with severe glycemic lability (NIDDK, 2023). The procedure involves the isolation of islets of Langerhans from a donor pancreas and their infusion into the recipient's portal vein, where they engraft within the liver (PubMed: PMID 10903358). Once functional, these transplanted cells act as a biological sensor, secreting insulin and glucagon in response to real-time blood glucose fluctuations (NIH, 2021). This restoration of the endocrine feedback loop aims to achieve near-normoglycemia and eliminate life-threatening hypoglycemic events (PubMed: PMID 32653327). While highly effective in the short term, the therapy faces challenges such as the requirement for lifelong immunosuppression to prevent alloimmune rejection and the gradual loss of graft function over time (Nature Reviews Endocrinology, 2021). Current research is focused on improving graft survival through encapsulation, site-specific delivery, and the development of stem-cell-derived beta cells to address donor shortages (PubMed: PMID 33432175).

Other names

Islet cell transplantationSystemic glucose homeostasis via transplanted pancreatic islet cellsBeta cell replacement therapyIslet allotransplantationIslet autotransplantation

Restoration of endogenous insulin and glucagon secretion through the engraftment of donor pancreatic endocrine cells into the recipient's liver or other sites, enabling physiological glucose sensing and regulation (PubMed: PMID 10903358).