Intrapancreatic Parenchymal Cell Transplantation as a Possible Model for the Development of a Cell-based Therapy for Type I Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

(1) Background: Transplantation of isolated islets is one of the most powerful approaches to cure insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Currently, the most widely used transplantation strategy is percutaneous perfusion into the liver via the portal vein. However, this approach has several drawbacks and is often limited by the large number of islets required and hypoxic damage to the grafts. (2) Methods: In this article, we posit intrapancreatic parenchymal cell transplantation (IPPCT) as a promising strategy for cell-based therapy for IDDM. IPPCT is a very simple and convenient strategy; it involves exposing the pancreas and spleen (which is tightly associated with pancreas) to micropipette-based injection of single cells or cell clumps into the pancreatic parenchyma under observation with a dissecting microscope. (3) Results: In this work, we provide some possible experimental examples of preliminary studies of IPPCT in mouse models. (4) Conclusions: We have reported here unique experimental systems to evaluate the in vivo function of pancreatic beta-cells isolated from normal tissue or those produced in vitro using IPPCT.