Adipose Tissue-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Modulate Inflammatory Response and Improve Allograft Islet Transplant in Mice Model of Type 1 Diabetes.

Objective: Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease where immune cells attack insulin-producing beta cells. Islet transplantation is a promising treatment for T1DM. This study aims to evaluate the effects of adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AT-MSCs) in combination with pancreatic islet transplantation using hydrogel.

Methods: T1DM mouse model was established using streptozotocin (STZ). Islets and AT-MSCs were co-embedded in a hydrogel and transplanted into diabetic mice. Five groups with six animals in each (control, hydrogel alone, AT-MSCs embedded hydrogel, islet embedded in hydrogel, and islet + AT-MSCs co-imbedded into a hydrogel) were evaluated in terms of blood glucose, insulin levels and serum and lavage cytokine production.

Results: During 32 days, blood glucose levels decreased from over 400 mg/dl to less than 150 mg/dl in the transplanted mice. Analysis showed increased transformation growth factor beta (TGF-β1) and IL-4 levels, while IL-17 and IFN-γ levels significantly decreased in the MSC-treated groups.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that using AT-MSCs with hydrogel could be a beneficial alternative for enhancing pancreatic islet engraftment and function.