A Breakthrough in Diabetes Research
A research team at Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH), led by Professor Jinah Jang, has developed an innovative platform for diabetes treatment using 3D bioprinting technology. Alongside Ph.D. candidate Myungji Kim from the Division of Interdisciplinary Bioscience and Bioengineering, the team successfully created a bioink derived from pancreatic tissue, paving the way for more effective therapies.
Diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder caused by dysfunction in the pancreas, an organ responsible for maintaining blood sugar levels. Within the pancreas, islet cells play a crucial role in insulin secretion, but generating these cells for therapeutic purposes has remained a significant challenge. While stem cells provide a potential solution, replicating the exact environment necessary for their function—particularly the extracellular matrix (ECM) and vascular support—has been a major roadblock.
3D Bioprinting to Mimic the Human Pancreas
The POSTECH research team addressed this challenge by developing a specialized bioink called PINE (Peri-islet Niche-like ECM), which contains key components such as laminin and collagen IV, extracted from pancreatic tissue. Using advanced 3D bioprinting technology, they fabricated the Human Islet-like Cellular Aggregates and Vasculature (HICA-V) platform.
This platform accurately arranges stem cell-derived islet cells alongside vascular structures, replicating the architecture of a functional pancreas. When cultured in the HICA-V platform, islet cells demonstrated enhanced insulin production and improved protein binding, closely resembling the behavior of native pancreatic islets.
Moreover, the platform successfully simulated diabetic conditions by triggering inflammatory gene responses, making it a valuable tool for both research and drug development. By faithfully replicating the pancreatic microenvironment, the HICA-V platform enhances the maturation and function of stem cell-derived islets, offering new hope for diabetes treatment.
Transforming Diabetes Treatment and Drug Development
Professor Jinah Jang emphasized the significance of this development, stating, “The customized pancreatic islet platform created through this research effectively replicates the human endocrine pancreas, supporting the maturation and functionality of stem cell-derived islets.” She further highlighted its potential to advance diabetes research, accelerate the development of anti-diabetic drugs, and improve islet transplantation therapies.
The research received funding from multiple South Korean institutions, including the National Research Foundation of South Korea (NRF), the Ministry of Science and ICT, the Korean Fund for Regenerative Medicine, and the Alchemist Project under the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy.
This pioneering work represents a major step forward in diabetes treatment. By utilizing 3D Bioprinting technology to replicate pancreatic function, the research not only provides a new model for studying diabetes but also offers promising avenues for developing more effective treatments and therapies in the future.
