Novel approach demonstrates enhanced cell growth and insulin secretion in pancreatic beta cells on plant scaffolds, indicating potential for diabetes treatment.
Tissue engineering seeks to overcome the donor organ shortage for diabetes treatment. We present a novel approach using decellularized plant scaffolds as a biological matrix for cultivating pancreatic beta cells. Spinach leaves were decellularized to create 3D cellulose scaffolds featuring a natural, perfusable vascular network. Upon seeding with insulin producing beta cells, these plant-based structures supported robust cell growth and, crucially, restored glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. The plant's intrinsic vascular design enabled efficient nutrient delivery, addressing a key challenge in engineering thick tissues. This work demonstrates that recellularized plant scaffolds provide a pro-functionality niche for beta cells, offering a scalable, inexpensive, and ethically favorable platform for regenerative medicine strategies in diabetes.
No takes yet. Share an insight, caveat, or question.
Umair Masood awan (2025) studied this question.
Synapse has enriched 5 closely related papers on similar clinical questions. Consider them for comparative context: