Comments on: Consequences of Cell Death in Islet Sheets? http://www.solvingdiabetes.org/2009/08/17/consequences-of-cell-death-in-islet-sheets/ A site dedicated to solving diabetes. Sat, 14 Aug 2010 23:12:33 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: Scott King http://www.solvingdiabetes.org/2009/08/17/consequences-of-cell-death-in-islet-sheets/comment-page-1/#comment-91 Scott King Mon, 17 Aug 2009 14:21:36 +0000 http://www.solvingdiabetes.org/?p=339#comment-91 We have experimental results on this one. In a long term canine allograft using microcapsules, after more than six years of euglycemia, the dog began to require insulin. Microcapsules were retrieved from the peroneal cavity. The capsules were largely free of cells and overgrowth. The islets inside were mostly dead, and appeared intact. Cell death under encapsulation conditions is by apoptosis. In apoptosis the cells shut down in an orderly way and decay to small particles that can be eaten by phagocytes. The apoptotic bodies are too small to get out of the capsules; they appear to remain there indefinitely. We expect that Islet Sheets will be replaced periodically and that the dead and dying beta cells will be removed with the old Sheet. We have experimental results on this one. In a long term canine allograft using microcapsules, after more than six years of euglycemia, the dog began to require insulin. Microcapsules were retrieved from the peroneal cavity. The capsules were largely free of cells and overgrowth. The islets inside were mostly dead, and appeared intact.

Cell death under encapsulation conditions is by apoptosis. In apoptosis the cells shut down in an orderly way and decay to small particles that can be eaten by phagocytes. The apoptotic bodies are too small to get out of the capsules; they appear to remain there indefinitely.

We expect that Islet Sheets will be replaced periodically and that the dead and dying beta cells will be removed with the old Sheet.

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