An international research team led by Wake Forest University has made significant breakthroughs in the field of bioprinting: they have utilized a novel bioink to 3D print functional human islets, demonstrating immense clinical application potential and bringing new hope for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes. This achievement was first presented at the 2025 European Society of Organ Transplantation Congress and is regarded as an important advancement in the field of regenerative medicine.
The research team employed a customized bioink made from alginate and decellularized human pancreatic tissue to print high-density, structurally stable islet tissue. These 3D-printed islets exhibited good viability and functionality in vitro, responding strongly to glucose stimulation for up to three weeks, with insulin release capabilities superior to those of islet tissue obtained through traditional methods.
Compared to the conventional method of injecting islets into the liver, this new technology uses a subcutaneous implantation approach, which is simpler to perform, requiring only local anesthesia and a small incision, making it a safer and less invasive treatment option. The goal of the research is to mimic the original microenvironment of the pancreas, allowing the transplanted islets to survive and function better. By using specially designed bioink, the research team provided the islets with a support structure similar to that of a natural pancreas, ensuring they receive adequate oxygen and nutrients.
To protect the delicate human islets from damage during the printing process, the team optimized the printing parameters, employing a gentle printing process with low pressure (30 kPa) and low speed (20 mm/min), effectively reducing mechanical stress and maintaining the integrity of the islets.
Laboratory tests showed that the survival rate of the printed islets exceeded 90%, and they were still able to sensitively detect blood glucose changes and release insulin on day 21, indicating good physiological responsiveness. Additionally, this 3D-printed structure has porous characteristics that facilitate the delivery of oxygen and nutrients and promote angiogenesis, thereby enhancing the long-term survival of the transplant.
The team stated that this is one of the few studies using real human islets for bioprinting, avoiding the translational barriers that may arise from animal cell models. This advancement not only deepens the understanding of islet functional reconstruction but also lays the foundation for the future development of ‘on-demand’ diabetes therapies, potentially achieving treatment methods that do not rely on insulin injections.
Editorial Note:
Globally, there is a large number of diabetes patients who require lifelong insulin injections. The use of novel bioink and 3D printing technology to create biologically functional islet tissue opens a new path for the medical community to tackle diabetes. It is expected to enable the precise customization of personalized islet tissue according to patient needs, alleviating the severe shortage of islet tissue in medicine. Furthermore, this innovative practice may also provide new insights for organ regeneration and transplantation in other fields, advancing regenerative medicine to new heights.
(Edited by: Yang Xi, Chen Jian)
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