Page 399 - IJB-9-6

International

Journal of Bioprinting

REVIEW ARTICLE
Advancements in biomaterials and biofabrication

for enhancing islet transplantation

Dayoon Kang , Jaewook Kim , and Jinah Jang 1,2,3,4 *
1†
1†
1 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH),
Pohang 37673, South Korea
2 Department of Convergence IT Engineering, Pohang University of Science and Technology
(POSTECH), Pohang 37673, South Korea
3
School of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, Pohang University of Science and
Technology (POSTECH), Pohang 37673, South Korea
4 Institute for Convergence Research and Education in Advanced Technology, Yonsei University,
Seoul 03722, South Korea

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is characterized by the degeneration of insulin-producing
beta cells within pancreatic islets, resulting in impaired endogenous insulin
synthesis, which necessitates exogenous insulin therapy. Although intensive insulin
therapy has been effective in many patients, a subset of individuals with unstable
T1D encounter challenges in maintaining optimal glycemic control through insulin
† These authors contributed equally injections. Pancreatic islet transplantation has emerged as a promising therapeutic
to this work. alternative for such patients, offering enhanced glucose regulation, reduced risk of
*Corresponding author: complications, and liberation from exogenous insulin reliance. However, impediments
Jinah Jang such as immune rejection and the need for an optimal transplantation environment
(jinahjang@postech.ac.kr) limit the success of islet transplantation. Revascularization, a crucial requirement for
Citation: Kang D, Kim J, Jang J, proper islet functionality, poses a challenge in transplantation settings. Biomaterial-
2023, Advancements in biomaterials based biofabrication approaches have attracted considerable attention to address
and biofabrication for enhancing
islet transplantation. Int J Bioprint, these challenges. Biomaterials engineered to emulate the native extracellular
9(6): 1024. matrix provide a supportive environment for islet viability and functionality. This
https://doi.org/10.36922/ijb.1024 review article presents the recent advancements in biomaterials and biofabrication
Received: May 31, 2023 technologies aimed at engineering cell delivery systems to enhance the efficacy
Accepted: July 14, 2023 of islet transplantation. Immune protection and vascularization strategies are
Published Online: August 25, 2023 discussed, key biomaterials employed in islet transplantation are highlighted, and
Copyright: © 2023 Author(s). various biofabrication techniques, including electrospinning, microfabrication, and
This is an Open Access article bioprinting, are explored. Furthermore, the future directions and challenges in the
distributed under the terms of the
Creative Commons Attribution field of cell delivery systems for islet transplantation are discussed. The integration
License, permitting distribution, of appropriate biomaterials and biofabrication methods has significant potential to
and reproduction in any medium, promote successful islet transplantation by facilitating vascularization and bolstering
provided the original work is
properly cited. the immune defense mechanisms.
Publisher’s Note: AccScience
Publishing remains neutral with Keywords: Biomaterials; Biofabrication; Islet transplantation; Immunosuppression;
regard to jurisdictional claims in
published maps and institutional Pre-vascularization
affiliations.

Volume 9 Issue 6 (2023) 391 https://doi.org/10.36922/ijb.1024