Encapsulation of human embryonic stem-cell-differentiated beta cell clusters (hES-βC) holds great promise for cell replacement therapy for the treatment of diabetics without the need for chronic systemic immune suppression. Here, we demonstrate a nanoporous immunoprotective polymer thin film cell encapsulation device that can exclude immune molecules while allowing exchange of oxygen and nutrients necessary for in vitro and in vivo stem cell viability and function. Biocompatibility studies show the device promotes neovascular formation with limited foreign body response in vivo. The device also successfully prevented teratoma escape into the peritoneal cavity of mice. Long-term animal studies demonstrate evidence of engraftment, viability, and function of cells encapsulated in the device after 6 months. Finally, in vivo study confirms that the device was able to effectively immuno-isolate cells from the host immune system.
Keywords: cell encapsulation device; cell therapy; diabetes; immunoengineering; nanotechnology.