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 enormous clinical application potential, bringing new hope for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes. This achievement was first presented at the 2025 European Society for Organ Transplantation conference 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 robustly 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 traditional method of injecting islets into the liver, this new technology uses a subcutaneous implantation approach, making the procedure simpler, requiring only local anesthesia and a small incision, and represents a safer, less invasive treatment option. The goal of the research is to simulate the original microenvironment of the pancreas, allowing the transplanted islets to survive and function better. By using specially formulated 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 remained responsive to blood glucose changes and insulin release on day 21, indicating good physiological responsiveness. Furthermore, this 3D printed structure has a porous nature, which aids in the delivery of oxygen and nutrients and promotes 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 groundwork for the future development of “ready-to-use” diabetes therapies, potentially achieving treatment methods that do not rely on insulin injections.
Planning and Production
Source | Science and Technology Daily
Editor | Zhen Xi
Reviewers | Xu Lai, Lin Lin
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