Adipose-derived stromal cells preserve pancreatic islet function in a transplantable 3D bioprinted scaffold

Abadpour, S.; Niemi, E. M.; Orrhult, L. S.; Hermanns, C.; de Vries, R.; Nogueira, L. P.; Haugen, H. J.; Josefsen, D.; Krauss, S.; van Apeldoorn, A.; Gatenholm, P.; Scholz, H.

doi:10.1101/2022.05.30.494035

bioRxiv · 10.1101/2022.05.30.494035

Adipose-derived stromal cells preserve pancreatic islet function in a transplantable 3D bioprinted scaffold

Abadpour, S.·Niemi, E. M.·Orrhult, L. S.·Hermanns, C.·de Vries, R.·Nogueira, L. P.·Haugen, H. J.·Josefsen, D.·Krauss, S.·van Apeldoorn, A.·Gatenholm, P.·Scholz, H.

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Abstract

Intra-portal islet transplantation is the method of choice for treatment of insulin dependent type 1 diabetes, but its outcome is hindered by limited islet survival due to the immunological and metabolic stress post transplantation. Adipose-derived stromal cells (ASCs) promise to improve significantly the islet micro-environment but an efficient long-term delivery method has not been achieved. We therefore explore the potential of generating ASC enriched islet transplant structure by 3D bioprinting. Here, we fabricate a double-layered 3D bioprinted scaffold for islets and ASCs by using alginate-nanofibrillated cellulose bioink. We demonstrate the diffusion properties of the scaffold and report that human ASCs increase the islet viability, preserve the endocrine function, and reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion in vitro. Intraperitoneal implantation of the ASCs and islets in 3D bioprinted scaffold improve the long-term function of islets in diabetic mice. Our data reveals an important role for ASCs on the islet micro-environment. We suggest a novel cell therapy approach of ASCs combined with islets in a 3D structure with a potential for clinical beta cell replacement therapies at extrahepatic sites.

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Abadpour, S., Niemi, E. M., Orrhult, L. S., Hermanns, C., de Vries, R., Nogueira, L. P., Haugen, H. J., Josefsen, D., Krauss, S., van Apeldoorn, A., Gatenholm, P., Scholz, H.. 2022-05-31. Adipose-derived stromal cells preserve pancreatic islet function in a transplantable 3D bioprinted scaffold. https://doi.org/10.1101/2022.05.30.494035

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