Silk-based encapsulation materials to enhance pancreatic cell functions

Islet transplantation has emerged as a promising therapeutic option for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes. However, clinical success and efficacy are challenged by the loss of islet function during the peritransplantation period. This chapter highlights the application of silk protein-based matrices for improving islet encapsulation efficacy and transplantation outcomes to maintain a long-term graft function. The in vitro and in vivo results reveal that silk-based polymeric matrices (scaffolds/foams/hydrogels) provide a useful microenvironment for extrahepatic islet implantation to improve engraftment and long-term graft function. Silk-based strategies to eliminate or curtail the use of immunosuppressive drugs could be a promising therapy for the improvement of islet transplantation. Toward this goal, two approaches are discussed: (1) encapsulation of primary islets/islet-like clusters to prevent the infiltration of immune cells, and (2) the local release of biomolecules from biomaterial systems for vascularization and suppression/modulation of local immunity.