Swedish researchers have created an innovative 3D-printed implant for the eye that encases cells producing insulin, offering a novel approach to diabetes treatment. Demonstrating success in rodent trials, this breakthrough utilizes the unique properties of the eye for treatment monitoring and represents a significant step forward in therapies using living cells.
The Swedish team has introduced a diminutive implant designed for ocular insertion, opening new avenues for treating diabetes with cellular therapies.
Collaborative Efforts and Innovation
A collaborative team from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and the Karolinska Institutet crafted the 3D-printed device with a focus on housing pancreatic cells that secrete insulin alongside electronic sensors. The team’s findings were published in the journal Advanced Materials.
The joint efforts of KTH and Karolinska Institutet have resulted in a methodology that allows for the precise placement of micro-organs, such as pancreatic islets, within the eye, circumventing the need for stitching. This innovation holds potential for cell-based therapeutic applications, potentially addressing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, with the eye as a conduit.
“The eye offers a unique glimpse inside the body and benefits from an immune-privileged status,” states Anna Herland, associate professor in the Division of Bionanotechnology at SciLifeLab at KTH and the AIMES research center at both KTH and Karolinska Institutet. Attribution: David Callahan/KTH Royal Institute of Technology
The Eye’s Unique Benefits
According to Anna Herland, the eye’s lack of initial immune response and its clear structure make it an excellent site for implantation, as it permits the direct observation and microscopic analysis of the implant’s behavior over time.
“Our vision organ is the sole portal through which we can observe the inner workings of the body, enjoying immunity from typical immune responses,” notes Herland.
Visual representation of the miniature device and an image showcasing its placement within a laboratory mouse’s eye are provided. Credits: Hanie Kavand, Montse Visa, Martin Köhler, Wouter van der Wijngaart, Per-Olof Berggren, Anna Herland
Design and Operation of the Device
This microdevice is crafted into a slender wedge measuring approximately 240 micrometers in length, designed to be inserted at the juncture of the iris and cornea within the eye’s anterior chamber. This endeavor marks the first instance of securing a device within the eye’s anterior chamber through mechanical means.
“We engineered this medical apparatus to contain mini-organs within a microscopic enclosure and utilized a flap door approach to eliminate the need for extra securing,” explains Wouter van der Wijngaart, professor of Micro- and Nanosystems at KTH.
Encouraging Outcomes from Animal Models
Upon testing in murine models, the device proved stable within the living body for extended periods, with the encapsulated mini-organs rapidly becoming vascularized and fully operational, reports Herland.
Per-Olof Berggren, an experimental endocrinology professor at Karolinska Institutet, brought his extensive expertise in pancreatic islet transplantation within the eye to the project.
“This device is unparalleled and lays the groundwork for our ongoing efforts to craft an integrated microsystem for analyzing pancreatic islets within the eye’s anterior chamber,” Berggren states. “Its implications for translation to human treatment are considerable, especially considering ongoing clinical trials transplanting islet cells into human eyes for diabetes therapy.”
Addressing Challenges
Herland highlights that this innovation sidesteps a significant challenge in cell therapy development for conditions like diabetes, by removing the need for invasive monitoring techniques to assess graft viability and facilitate ongoing treatment success.
“We’ve taken an initial step toward sophisticated medical microdevices that can localize and observe cell grafts in action,” she adds.
Herland emphasizes that their design enables the precise placement of tiny organ-like structures, including organoids and pancreatic islets, without impeding cell nutrition.
“Our design paves the way for the future integration of more complex functionalities, such as built-in electronics or controlled medication delivery.”
Citation: “3D-Printed Biohybrid Microstructures Enable Transplantation and Vascularization of Microtissues in the Anterior Chamber of the Eye” by Hanie Kavand, Montse Visa, Martin Köhler, Wouter van der Wijngaart, Per-Olof Berggren, and Anna Herland, 10 October 2023, Advanced Materials.
DOI: 10.1002/adma.202306686
The project received funding from the SSF, the Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, the ERC, the Erling Persson Family Foundation, the Jochnick Foundation, AIMES, and the Novo Nordisk Foundation.
The study includes a disclosure stating that Per-Olof Berggren has a partnership with Biocrine AB, which is involved in the research.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Diabetes eye implant
What is the new diabetes treatment developed by Swedish researchers?
The new treatment involves a revolutionary 3D-printed eye implant that encases insulin-producing cells, designed to treat diabetes non-invasively. It has been tested successfully in mice and utilizes the eye’s unique attributes for monitoring the therapy’s progress.
How does the eye contribute to this new diabetes treatment?
The eye is an immune-privileged site, meaning it does not have an immediate immune response that would typically reject an implant. Its transparency also allows for the visual and microscopic examination of the implant over time, making it an ideal location for the device.
Who developed the 3D-printed eye implant for diabetes treatment?
A team from the KTH Royal Institute of Technology and the Karolinska Institutet in Sweden developed this innovative device. The interdisciplinary collaboration combined expertise in bionanotechnology and experimental endocrinology.
What does the design of the diabetes treatment device entail?
The device is designed as a tiny wedge, which can be mechanically fixed at the angle between the iris and cornea in the eye’s anterior chamber. This design eliminates the need for sutures and allows the encapsulated mini-organs to function normally within the body.
What are the implications of this research for human diabetes treatment?
This groundbreaking device offers a basis for continued research into microsystems that could study the function and survival of pancreatic islets, which are crucial for diabetes treatment. It holds translational importance for human applications, as similar transplantation is already undergoing clinical trials.
How is the implantation of the diabetes treatment device monitored?
The implant’s functionality and integration into the host body can be monitored through the eye’s transparency. This approach forgoes the need for invasive methods, allowing researchers and medical professionals to track the graft’s condition over time.
Who funded the research for the diabetes treatment implant?
The research was funded by several organizations including the SSF, Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation, ERC, Erling Persson Family Foundation, Jochnick Foundation, AIMES, and Novo Nordisk Foundation.
Is there any conflict of interest noted in the diabetes treatment study?
Yes, Per-Olof Berggren, one of the researchers, is a partner in Biocrine AB, which has involvement in the study. This was disclosed as a potential conflict of interest.
More about Diabetes eye implant
- Innovative Diabetes Eye Implant
- KTH Royal Institute of Technology
- Karolinska Institutet Research
- Advanced Materials Journal
- SSF Funding
- Knut and Alice Wallenberg Foundation
- European Research Council (ERC)
- Erling Persson Family Foundation
- Jochnick Foundation
- AIMES Research Center
- Novo Nordisk Foundation
- Biocrine AB
6 comments
Wow, this is big news for diabetics right? To think a tiny device in the eye could change the game.
read about this in Advanced Materials their research is something else, but I wonder how it’ll really work in humans.
gotta say im impressed with the Swedes, always pushing boundaries in med tech.
I think its great but there’s always that question of cost, who’s gonna afford this high tech solution?
herland mentioned the eye as a window into the body, never thought of it that way, pretty clever.
did anyone catch the conflict of interest part, makes you think huh.