The intraperitoneal space is more favorable than the subcutaneous one for transplanting alginate fiber containing iPS-derived islet-like cells

These results suggest that the intraperitoneal space is favorable for islet-like cells derived from human iPS cells when encapsulated in alginate fiber.

We used a suspension culture system for inducing islet-like cells from human iPS cells throughout the islet differentiation process. Islet-like spheroids were encapsulated in the alginate fiber, and cell transplantation experiments were performed with STZ-induced diabetic NOD/SCID mice. We compared the efficacy of transplanted cells between intraperitoneal and subcutaneous administration of alginate fibers by measuring blood glucose and human C-peptide levels serially in mice. Grafts were analyzed histologically, and gene expression in pancreatic β cells was also compared.

We demonstrated the reversal of hyperglycemia in diabetic model mice after intraperitoneal administration of these fibers, but not with subcutaneous ones. Intraperitoneal fibers were easily retrieved without any adhesion. Although we detected human c-peptide in mice plasma after subcutaneous administration of these fibers, these fibers became encased by fibrous tissue. Conclusions: These results suggest that the intraperitoneal space is favorable for islet-like cells derived from human iPS cells when encapsulated in alginate fiber.