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

ABSTRACT

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.

KEYWORDS:

• Hydrogel
• immunomodulation
• islet transplantation
• mesenchymal stem cells
• type 1 diabetes

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to colleagues in the Department of Stem Cell Biology, Stem Cell Technology Research Center, for their support during this project. This study was financially supported by grants given by the Iran University of Medical Sciences (IUMS) (Grant No. 23632).

Disclosure Statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data Availability Statement

All data generated during this study are included in this published article.

Authors’ Contributions

B.N.; Performed the experiments. Designed the study and interpreted the data. Wrote the manuscript. J.M.; Performed the experiments, Designed the study and interpreted the data. N.KH.; Review & Editing. M.V; Review & Editing, Visualization. N.T.; Supervision, Project administration, and Funding acquisition. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

The work was supported by the Iran University of Medical Sciences [Grant No. 23632].