Development of Implantable Vascularized Pancreatic Construct by 3D Cell Printing Technology

The transplantation of pancreatic islets is promising treatment for patients of type 1 diabetes, suffering hypoglycaemia and secondary complications. The primary goal of this treatment is to supply sufficient amount of insulin in the bloodstream, however, several limitations still remain. Large number of the islet graft in the intrahepatic transplant site is difficult to survive due to low engraftment rate and hostile environment. In case of subcutaneous transplantation, the viability and function of the implanted islet is diminished because of the low vascularity occurring hypoxic condition. With the convergence of 3D bioprinting, bioink and stem cell biology approaches, tissue engineering offers a promising alternative. We developed the 3D cell printed pancreatic construct using pdECM and vascular cells that can provide beneficial microenvironmental cues. Thus, this construct can regulate blood glucose level in diabetic animal models and has shown a significant potential of the advanced islet delivery method for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.2