Researchers have developed a new method to 3D print functional human islets that can sustain strong insulin responses for up to three weeks. Using a novel bioink derived from human pancreatic tissue could unlock an innovative, minimally invasive approach to islet transplantation that potentially overcomes some of the major challenges facing the development of cell therapies for type I diabetes.
“This is one of the first studies to use real human islets instead of animal cells in bioprinting, and the results are incredibly promising. It means we’re getting closer to creating an off-the-shelf treatment for diabetes that could one day eliminate the need for insulin injections,” said Quentin Perrier, PhD, researcher at the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, who presented the findings this weekend at the European Society for Organ Transplantation (ESOT) Congress 2025.
Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells within islets in the pancreas. Islet transplantation has long been considered a promising approach to cure type I diabetes and remove the need for daily insulin injections. However, current methods for islet transplantation often result in the loss of functional insulin-producing cells in the long term, leading patients to require multiple transplants to maintain a response.
The new method developed by Perrier and colleagues has shown early promise to lengthen the time transplanted islets can remain functional. “Our goal was to recreate the natural environment of the pancreas so that transplanted cells would survive and function better,” said Perrier. “We used a special bioink that mimics the support structure of the pancreas, giving islets the oxygen and nutrients they need to thrive.”
This custom bioink, made from a mixture of alginate and decellularized human pancreatic tissue, was used to 3D print durable, high-density islet structures. After 21 days, 90% of the islet cells were still alive and were able to release insulin in response to glucose levels.
The innovation lies in the composition of the 3D printing bioink. The extracellular matrix (ECM) is known to play an essential role in the survival and function of pancreatic islets, but current methods to isolate cells for islet transplantation strips it away. The researchers developed a gentle, detergent-free method to obtain a soluble ECM powder from human pancreas, retaining key components that support the survival and function of islets.
This bioink was then used to make structures with a porous architecture, designed to enhance and nutrient flow to the islets embedded within while promoting cell survival and vascularization, which is critical for the long-term survival of islets following transplantation. By using low pressure and slow print speed settings, the researchers reduced physical stress on the islets during the bioprinting process, which helped the cells maintain their natural shape. Further experiments showed these structures maintained their shape without clumping or breaking down over time, which is a common problem previous bioprinting attempts have faced.
Unlike typical islet transplants, which are infused into the liver, these 3D printed structures can be implanted just under the skin, making the procedure minimally invasive and facilitating removal in case of any adverse events.
“While there is still work to be done, this new bioprinting method marks a critical step toward personalized, implantable therapies for diabetes,” said Perrier. “If clinical trials confirm its effectiveness, it could transform treatment and quality of life for millions of people worldwide.”
