Kynurenine-3-monooxygenase inhibition as a novel therapeutic strategy to enhance islet cell viability and improve outcomes of Islet Transplantation

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Pancreas and islet cell transplant has transformed the treatment of people with diabetes since it was introduced 20 years ago. Islet transplant is done by separating the insulin producing cells (islets) from the pancreas donated by an organ donor, checking the islets for health, and then injecting them into the liver bloodstream of the person getting the transplant. Islet transplant is a lower risk procedure than having a whole-organ pancreas transplant and can be a life-changing, and sometimes a life-saving therapy, for people with diabetes who are on insulin, but who have lost awareness of when their blood sugar goes too low. Whole-organ pancreas transplant is still very helpful, and is usually performed as part of a combined kidney and pancreas transplant for people whose kidneys have failed due to their diabetes. A combined kidney and pancreas transplant can dramatically increase the length and quality of someone's life. However, despite the success of pancreas and islet transplant there continues to be a shortage of suitable pancreas organs for transplant.In my project I am going to do research to improve the outcomes of islet cell transplant and whole-organ pancreas transplants by using new medicines that block inflammation and prevent cell damage during the transplant process. Our aim is to improve the outcomes for people getting one of these tranplants, but also to increase the number of people who can have a transplant, by reducing the number of pancreas organs that are too damaged to be safely used. I am going to research several ways of improving this, including using a special machine to provide the donor pancreas organ with essential nutrients and oxygen that it needs. I am also going to use newly developed medicines that block pancreas inflammation that can be added into the fluid that is used to prepare the pancreas for transplant. If successful, my research is going to improve the lives of people with diabetes who are having an islet transplant or a pancreas transplant, by making the cells and organs healthier when they are put in. We will also increase the number of people with diabetes that can have a transplant, by improving the health of the available pancreas organs.