Fig. 3 .

Supplementation of ECM in capsules for immuno-isolation of pancreatic islets enhance functional survival of the graft. (a) Specific ECM molecules may be added to islets before transplantation to enhance the functional survival of islets. For example, collagen IV and laminin sequences, such as RGD, LRE and PDSGR, have positive effects on the function of isolated human islets. (b) Supplemented ECM can mimic/interact with various molecules on the islet cell membrane. Immuno-isolation of islets by encapsulation has been used to demonstrate that ECM supplementation can promote islet cell survival. Encapsulation of islets in an immunoprotective but semipermeable membrane allows for successful transplantation of islets without the need for immunosuppression. This figure is available as part of a downloadable slideset