Figure 7.

PAMP and DAMP release from microencapsulated islets. Impurities like pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) in alginate can bind to pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) such as Toll-like receptors (TLRs) on cells of immune system. This leads to release of cytokines, chemokines, chemotaxis, with graft failure as the ultimate consequence. Encapsulated islets under stress, release molecules required for cellular homeostasis but in the extracellular space act like danger or damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs). DAMPs can also bind to PRRs activating both the innate and adaptive immune system in the host.