An ideal system for identifying disease mechanisms of diabetes and screening for new therapeutics would be a renewable source of beta cells and the ability to study patient-specific cells. Such a system could help identify beta cell-intrinsic mechanisms of cell death in type I diabetes and help establish genotype-phenotype correlations. 2D cell culture systems have been the mainstay of attempts to culture human cadaveric islets or to differentiate human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) toward the pancreatic beta cell fate. However, human islets cannot be maintained for prolonged periods of time with these systems, nor can functional beta cells be produced from hPSCs. Since current 2D culture conditions do not take into account critical cell-cell and cell- matrix interactions for beta cell development and function, there is a need for new 3D culture models of human islets that more accurately mimic the in vivo environment. Our multidisciplinary team of a stem cell/islet biologist a vascular biologist and two bioengineers proposes to develop a novel in vitro platform to create a human islet micro-organ perfused with human microvessels in a microfluidic device with all components derived from a single human induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC) source. First, we will optimize conditions and cell ratios by creating a 3D in vitro human islet micro-organ in static cultures outside the device that is comprised of islet endocrine cells, stromal cells, pancreas-specific extracellular matrix, and human endothelial cells (Aim 1). Next, we will assemble these 3D human islet micro-organs in a microfluidic device, so that nutrients are delivered and waste products are removed through a perfused capillary bed. This 3D islet micro- organ will closely mimic the dynamic metabolic changes typical for the in vivo beta cell environment (Aim 2). While a hiPSC-derived islet micro-organ is the ultimate goal, we will pursue a parallel approach with each Aim, using human cadaveric islets as a cell source, as experiments with primary human islets will provide important insight into the microenvironment necessary for maintaining mature beta cells ex vivo. Our model, which fully mimics in vivo physiology and is amenable to high throughput screening, will provide a platform for identifying regulators of beta cell maturation, replication, failure, and survival and will help reveal the causes of human diabetes. Our microfluidic platform has the flexibility to combine islet micro-organs with additional micro-organs (e.g. liver) in a continuous vascular network to simulate the complex inter-organ interactions relevant to human beta cell physiology. Thus, our platform will enable studies into the role of inter-organ cross talk in the pathogenesis of diabetes.

Public Health Relevance

Loss or dysfunction of pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells is the hallmark of diabetes;however, in vitro models to study disease mechanisms or to test novel therapeutics are lacking. The proposed work leverages expertise of biologists and bioengineers to create a sustainable in vitro model of the human islet that is supported by human blood vessels and provides a platform for studying human beta cells ex vivo.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
High Impact Research and Research Infrastructure Cooperative Agreement Programs—Multi-Yr Funding (UC4)
Project #
1UC4DK104202-01
Application #
8813754
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZDK1-GRB-9 (O1))
Program Officer
Abraham, Kristin M
Project Start
2014-09-20
Project End
2019-06-30
Budget Start
2014-09-20
Budget End
2019-06-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2014
Total Cost
$3,913,839
Indirect Cost
$905,349
Name
University of California San Diego
Department
Pediatrics
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
804355790
City
La Jolla
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
92093
Traore, Mahama A; George, Steven C (2017) Tissue Engineering the Vascular Tree. Tissue Eng Part B Rev 23:505-514
Sewell-Loftin, Mary Kathryn; Bayer, Samantha Van Hove; Crist, Elizabeth et al. (2017) Cancer-associated fibroblasts support vascular growth through mechanical force. Sci Rep 7:12574