The first milestone of a new therapy for the treatment of T1D is the development of 3D bioprinted petals consisting of: pancreatic islets and biomaterials. The aim of the study was to demonstrate the functionality of pancreatic islets in in vivo studies on large animals.

Material and Methods: Domestic pigs were the research model. The animals were divided into 4 groups:(1)healthy pigs (Control; n=3);(2) animals with T1D after pancreatectomy, treated with insulin (T1D;n=3);(3) animals after pancreatectomy and autotransplantation of pancreatic islets to the liver (LIVER; n=3);(4) animals with T1D after pancreatectomy, which were autotransplanted with bionic petals (3D-PETALS; n=3). The effectiveness of the transplantation (TX) was assessed by the concentration of glucose, insulin intake and C-peptide. The observation lasted 1 month.

Results: The results showed that in the LIVER group, insulin intake within 3 weeks decreased by 71% compared to the demand before TX. Whereas 1 month after TX, the demand was lower by 62%. The 3D-PETALS group showed that the insulin intake in 3 weeks after TX decreased by 65%, and within a month decreased by 84%. In the 4th week after TX, the insulin intake average in the T1D group was 8.17U, while in the LIVER group=2.44U and in the 3D-PETALS group=1.06U. Islet TX significantly reduced insulin intake (T1D vs LIVER; p=0.0001 and T1D vs 3D-PETALS; p<0.0001). Glucose measurement showed significant changes. After 1 month of follow-up, glucose levels were significantly lower in the LIVER vs T1D (265.8mg% vs 310.2mg%; p<0.0001) and 3D-PETALS & T1D (198.3mg% vs 310.2mg%; p=0.0354). Most importantly, glycemic levels were also significantly lower between the LIVER & 3D PETALS groups (265.8mg% vs 198.3mg%; p=0.0021). The concentration of C-peptide during the study was 0.14ng/ml.

Conclusion: Bioprinted petals with dECM-based bioink significantly reduces diabetic parameters. Thus, it seems to be an effective therapy for people with T1D.

Disclosure

M.Klak: Employee; Polbionica Sp. z o.o., Stock/Shareholder; Polbionica Sp. z o.o. A.Berman: Board Member; Polbionica Ltd., Stock/Shareholder; Polbionica Ltd. O.Janowska: Employee; POLBIONICA Sp. z o.o. S.Domanski: Employee; Polbionica. D.Szkopek: None. K.I.Roszkowicz-ostrowska: None. A.Kondej: None. J.Wolinski: None. M.Wszola: Board Member; Polbionica Ltd., Stock/Shareholder; Polbionica Ltd.

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