Chapters authored
Xenotransplantation for Islets from Clinical Side
Islet transplantation can eliminate severe hypoglycemia symptoms caused by conventional treatment, and has the advantages of less trauma and complications, which is considered as the most promising treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Regulatory guidance is needed for a standard pig source. In section 1, the regulation of medical grade designed pathogen free (DPF) donor pig for clinical xenotransplantation consists of five parts: genetic quality control, microbiological surveillance, formula feeds, specification of pathological diagnosis, and requirements of environment and housing facilities. In section 2, we present the current approach and progress in pig donor selecting, pancreatic digestion, isolation and preparation of porcine islet grafts, identification and quality assessment of final islet product in clinical trials. The liver is currently the most preferred site for islet transplantation, even though it is far from ideal. A large number of alternative sites have been used for islet transplantation in experimental animal models to provide improved engraftment and long-term survival. In Section 3, we introduce some commonly used sites in xenotransplantation. The benefits and drawbacks of each parameter above are discussed in an attempt to decide which is the most suitable for clinical use and to direct future research.
Part of the book: Xenotransplantation