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‘Smart patch’ secretes insulin on-demand with live beta cells
Researchers recently developed a synthetic microneedle patch from live pancreatic beta cells that modulates insulin secretion, safely regulating blood glucose levels in mouse models without implantation, according to study findings.
In mouse models of type 1 diabetes, Zhen Gu, PhD, assistant professor in the joint University of North Carolina/North Carolina State department of biomedical engineering, and colleagues demonstrated that the painless patch could quickly respond to rising blood glucose levels and significantly lower them for 10 hours at a time. The proof-of-concept builds on a previous smart insulin patch that used manmade insulin.
“This study provides a potential solution for the tough problem of rejection, which has long plagued studies on pancreatic cell transplants for diabetes,” Gu said in a press release. “It demonstrates that we can build a bridge between the physiological signals within the body and these therapeutic cells outside the body to keep glucose levels under control.”
The patch includes both live (cell-based) and synthetic glucose-responsive systems to allow the externally positioned beta cell capsules to sense glucose signals and secrete insulin through the microneedles in a minimally invasive manner. To effectively trigger the cellular response, the microneedle matrix contains synthetic “glucose-signal amplifiers,” including glucose oxidase, alpha-amylase and glucoamylase enzymes.
The researchers noted that clinical studies need to be conducted in humans, but called the research proof of principle for an alternative approach that could be safer than current treatments.
“These smart insulin approaches are exciting, because they hold the promise of giving patients some time off with regards to their diabetes self-care,” John Buse, MD, PhD, Verne S. Caviness distinguished professor, chief of the division of endocrinology and director of the Diabetes Care center at University of North Carolina School of Medicine, said in a press release. “It would not be a cure, but a desperately needed vacation.”
Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.