Abstract
The development of the Edmonton protocol was an important milestone in the process of establishing islet transplantation as a cure for diabetes. However, many challenges must still be overcome, including developing an alternate site to the portal vein of the liver for cell delivery and decreasing the required immunosuppression regime. Chitosan, produced from the deacetylation of chitin, was found to be an excellent material for hydrogels since first discovered in 1859. It is biodegradable, structurally comparable to glycosaminoglycans found naturally in the islet extracellular matrix (ECM), and has low toxicity. Chitosan and its derivatives are currently being researched as a component of hydrogels promoting vascularization; macroencapsulation, microencapsulation, and nanolayered encapsulation devices; as an antidiabetic supplement; and as a tool to aid imaging of transplanted islets.
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