Exploring Local Immune Modulation With Rapamycin-eluting Micelles to Preserve Islet Graft Function in Mice

Abstract

Islet transplantation is an effective means for a subset of people with type 1 diabetes to achieve insulin independence; however, lifelong systemic immunosuppression required to subvert the immune response remains a major barrier in patient inclusion. Herein, we explore the use of a localized drug delivery system to preserve islet allograft function, reducing the need for toxic systemic immunosuppression. Rapamycin (rapa), an immunosuppressant used in clinical islet transplantation, was encapsulated in Food and Drug Administration-approved poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLGA) micelles.