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Public release date: 16-Aug-2012[ | E-mail |
Share ] Contact: Michael Cook
mcook@jdrf.org
212-479-7510
JDRF
Researchers from both institutions hope to improve long-term effectiveness of islet cell transplantation
New York, NY, August 16, 2012 JDRF, in collaboration with The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust (HCT), announced today that it has finalized a grant in the area of islet cell encapsulation to Dr. Camillo Ricordi, M.D. and a team of investigators at the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI), based at the University of Miami (FL).
Performed at the DRI since the 1980s, successful islet cell transplants give patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) the ability to naturally produce their own insulin and lead healthier, more independent lives. However, only a small number of patients benefit from the procedure because of a shortage of cadaver islets, problems associated with the need for chronic immunosuppression drugs, and the low survival rate of islets immediately following implantation. The current transplant site, the liver, can be particularly inhospitable for newly implanted islets, leading to hypoxia (low oxygen) and inflammation. The number of transplants available to patients is also limited by the small number of donors and the large number of cells required for each procedure.
In the $4.6 million grant proposal being funded jointly by the JDRF-Helmsley Charitable Trust over three years, Dr. Ricordi's team will attempt to address the limitations of the requirements for immunosuppression, and the poor viability of islets, beginning with an alternate site of implantation. While the research community is exploring multiple possible alternatives, the DRI has chosen to pursue a fold in the lining of the abdomen called the omentum that the team believes will allow better access for the procedure, offer more space to accommodate delivery systems, and provide a safer environment for the newly-implanted cells.
"This is a critically important and timely support that will allow our team to remain focused on the path to a biologic cure for diabetes," Dr. Ricordi said. "The overall goal is to use a multipronged approach to address and resolve all of the outstanding issues in islet transplantation and move the field to the next level of success."
The other problem that Dr. Ricordi's team is attempting to solve is protecting the implanted cells from the body's immune response. Their approach to immunoprotection is two-fold. They will use a bioactive scaffold as a delivery system for the implanted islets that is designed to protect them from the immediate immune response. The scaffold allows the islet cells access to the surrounding blood vessels to prevent poor oxygenation, which will allow better regulation of blood sugar levels. The team is also engineering a conformal coating to encapsulate each islet to further promote long-term survival. Ultimately, the scaffold could be used to modify the immune cells in the implant local area, offering maximum protection. If successful, such technologies could remove the need for immunosuppression drugs and ensure long-term survival for the implanted cells.
"We are very excited to be supporting Dr. Ricordi's lab for this research," said JDRF Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Richard Insel. "Dr. Ricordi and colleagues have been pioneers in the area of islet cell transplantation and encapsulation, and we feel that they are well-positioned to advance an area that we hope will bring a real benefit to individuals with type 1 diabetes."
###
About JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is now the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF research is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners who share this goal.
Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has awarded more than $1.6 billion to diabetes research. Past JDRF efforts have helped to significantly advance the care of people with this disease, and have expanded the critical scientific understanding of T1D. JDRF will not rest until T1D is fully conquered. More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education.
For more information, please visit www.jdrf.org.
About The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, established in 1999, is administered by four Trustees selected by Leona Helmsley. As a continuation of Mr. and Mrs. Helmsley's generous giving throughout their lifetimes, the Trust supports a diverse range of organizations with a major focus on health and medical research, in addition to programs in human services, education, cultural access, conservation and the security and development of Israel. Since 2009, the Trust has committed over $100 million to type 1 diabetes research and programs through the Helmsley Type 1 Diabetes Program. For more information, please visit www.helmsleytrust.org.
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AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Public release date: 16-Aug-2012[ | E-mail |
Share ] Contact: Michael Cook
mcook@jdrf.org
212-479-7510
JDRF
Researchers from both institutions hope to improve long-term effectiveness of islet cell transplantation
New York, NY, August 16, 2012 JDRF, in collaboration with The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust (HCT), announced today that it has finalized a grant in the area of islet cell encapsulation to Dr. Camillo Ricordi, M.D. and a team of investigators at the Diabetes Research Institute (DRI), based at the University of Miami (FL).
Performed at the DRI since the 1980s, successful islet cell transplants give patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D) the ability to naturally produce their own insulin and lead healthier, more independent lives. However, only a small number of patients benefit from the procedure because of a shortage of cadaver islets, problems associated with the need for chronic immunosuppression drugs, and the low survival rate of islets immediately following implantation. The current transplant site, the liver, can be particularly inhospitable for newly implanted islets, leading to hypoxia (low oxygen) and inflammation. The number of transplants available to patients is also limited by the small number of donors and the large number of cells required for each procedure.
In the $4.6 million grant proposal being funded jointly by the JDRF-Helmsley Charitable Trust over three years, Dr. Ricordi's team will attempt to address the limitations of the requirements for immunosuppression, and the poor viability of islets, beginning with an alternate site of implantation. While the research community is exploring multiple possible alternatives, the DRI has chosen to pursue a fold in the lining of the abdomen called the omentum that the team believes will allow better access for the procedure, offer more space to accommodate delivery systems, and provide a safer environment for the newly-implanted cells.
"This is a critically important and timely support that will allow our team to remain focused on the path to a biologic cure for diabetes," Dr. Ricordi said. "The overall goal is to use a multipronged approach to address and resolve all of the outstanding issues in islet transplantation and move the field to the next level of success."
The other problem that Dr. Ricordi's team is attempting to solve is protecting the implanted cells from the body's immune response. Their approach to immunoprotection is two-fold. They will use a bioactive scaffold as a delivery system for the implanted islets that is designed to protect them from the immediate immune response. The scaffold allows the islet cells access to the surrounding blood vessels to prevent poor oxygenation, which will allow better regulation of blood sugar levels. The team is also engineering a conformal coating to encapsulate each islet to further promote long-term survival. Ultimately, the scaffold could be used to modify the immune cells in the implant local area, offering maximum protection. If successful, such technologies could remove the need for immunosuppression drugs and ensure long-term survival for the implanted cells.
"We are very excited to be supporting Dr. Ricordi's lab for this research," said JDRF Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Richard Insel. "Dr. Ricordi and colleagues have been pioneers in the area of islet cell transplantation and encapsulation, and we feel that they are well-positioned to advance an area that we hope will bring a real benefit to individuals with type 1 diabetes."
###
About JDRF
JDRF is the leading global organization focused on type 1 diabetes (T1D) research. Driven by passionate, grassroots volunteers connected to children, adolescents, and adults with this disease, JDRF is now the largest charitable supporter of T1D research. The goal of JDRF research is to improve the lives of all people affected by T1D by accelerating progress on the most promising opportunities for curing, better treating, and preventing T1D. JDRF collaborates with a wide spectrum of partners who share this goal.
Since its founding in 1970, JDRF has awarded more than $1.6 billion to diabetes research. Past JDRF efforts have helped to significantly advance the care of people with this disease, and have expanded the critical scientific understanding of T1D. JDRF will not rest until T1D is fully conquered. More than 80 percent of JDRF's expenditures directly support research and research-related education.
For more information, please visit www.jdrf.org.
About The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust
The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, established in 1999, is administered by four Trustees selected by Leona Helmsley. As a continuation of Mr. and Mrs. Helmsley's generous giving throughout their lifetimes, the Trust supports a diverse range of organizations with a major focus on health and medical research, in addition to programs in human services, education, cultural access, conservation and the security and development of Israel. Since 2009, the Trust has committed over $100 million to type 1 diabetes research and programs through the Helmsley Type 1 Diabetes Program. For more information, please visit www.helmsleytrust.org.
[ | E-mail | Share ] ?
AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.
Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2012-08/j-jct081612.php
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