Characterization and therapeutic modulation of the immune response towards PTFE encapsulated human embryonic stem cell derived beta cell progenitors

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Islet transplantation is limited by the need for chronic immunosuppression and the paucity of donor tissue. As new sources of human beta-cells are developed (e.g., stem cell-derived tissue), transplanting them in a durable device could obviate the need for immunosuppression, while also protecting the patient from any risk of tumorigenicity. Tremendous progresses in the encapsulation technology made possible, to finally have effective immunoprotection and sufficient permeability for oxygen, nutrients, signalling molecules and hormones combined in one system. This allows us, for the first time, to study immunolocial aspects of the transplantation of encapsulated, insulin producing cells in different settings:- mouse islets in mouse recipients in models with increasing immunogenicity- human embryonal stem cell derived cells in humanized miceand to thoroughly analyze the immune response as well as to define a tolerogenic, mild immunosuppressive therapy to curb this rest immune response.As the importance of stem cell derived cells in transplantation is constantly increasing, the results of this work will be of considerable importance for the whole field.