Self-healing hydrogels

Nanotechnology

Polymer chemistry

Mesenchymal stem cell

Computer network

Encapsulation (networking)

Biology

Operating system

Biomedical engineering

Thread (computing)

Surgery

Materials science

Cell encapsulation

Computer science

Cell biology

Transplantation

Medicine

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Significance Cell encapsulation holds great potential as a better treatment for type 1 diabetes. An encapsulation system that is scalable to a clinically relevant capacity and can be retrieved or replaced whenever needed is highly desirable for clinical applications. Here we report a cell encapsulation device that is readily scalable and conveniently retrievable through a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure. We demonstrated its mechanical robustness and facile mass transfer as well as its durable function in diabetic mice. We further showed, as a proof of concept, its scalability and retrievability in dogs. We believe this encapsulation device may contribute to a cellular therapy for type 1 diabetes and potentially other endocrine disorders and hormone-deficient diseases.

Designing a retrievable and scalable cell encapsulation device for potential treatment of type 1 diabetes