Beta Cells Secrete Significant and Regulated Levels of Insulin for Long Periods when Seeded onto Acellular Micro-Scaffolds.

The aim of this work is to obtain significant and regulated insulin secretion from human beta cells ex vivo. Long-term culture of human pancreatic islets and attempts at expanding human islet cells normally result in loss of beta-cell phenotype. We propose that to obtain proper ex vivo beta cell function, there is a need to develop three-dimensional structures that mimic the natural islet tissue microenvironment.

Organ-specific scaffolds for in vitro expansion, differentiation, and organization of primary lung cells.

In light of the increasing need for differentiated primary cells for cell therapy and the rapid dedifferentiation occurring during standard in vitro cultivation techniques, there is an urgent need for developing three-dimensional in vitro systems in which expanded cells display in vivo-like differentiated phenotypes. It is becoming clear that the natural microenvironment provides the optimal conditions for achieving this aim. To this end, we prepared natural decellularized scaffolds of microscopic dimensions that would allow appropriate diffusion of gases and nutrients to all seeded cells.