Synthesis of PEG-dendron for surface modification of pancreatic islets and suppression of the immune response. Issue 11 (8th March 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jeon, Seong Ik; Jeong, Jee-Heon; Kim, Ju Eun; Haque, Muhammad R.; Kim, Jungahn; Byun, Youngro; Ahn, Cheol-Hee
• Is Part Of: Journal of materials chemistry. Volume 9:Issue 11(2021)
• Page Start: 2631
• Page End: 2640
• Publication Date: 2021-03-08
• Subjects: Materials -- Periodicals; Chemistry, Analytic -- Periodicals; Biomedical materials -- Research -- Periodicals; 543.0284
• DOI: 10.1039/d1tb00069a
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2050-750X

Abstract

Abstract : A surface modification technology with dendritic-structured poly(ethylene glycol) to protect islets from the host immune system was proposed for pancreatic islet transplantation. Abstract : Islet cell transplantation has been an effective method for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. The transplanted islets release insulin in response to changes in blood glucose levels. The clinical application of islet transplantation, however, has been hindered because of some critical problems including immune responses to grafted islets and side effects caused by overdosed immunosuppressive drugs. Herein, surface modification technology using poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG)-dendron was proposed to safeguard islets from the host immune system. PEG-dendron was synthesized by a divergent polymerization method and utilized to cover the islet antigen surface. Successful conjugation of PEG-dendron on the islet surface was achieved without affecting islet morphology, viability, and functionality at a concentration of 1.00%. Surface modification using PEG-dendron effectively prevented protein absorption and immune activation. Foremost, it improved the survival rate of islet grafts in vivo when combined with a low dose of immunosuppressive drugs. In conclusion, PEG-dendron is a potential candidate for the surface modification of pancreatic islets to mitigate immune responses after transplantation.