Organotypic vascularization improves maturation of human stem cell-derived islets and restores normoglycemia in diabetic mice.

Vascularized human stem cell-derived islet organoids (VPIOs) exhibit improved β cell maturation and restore long-term normoglycemia in diabetic mice.

• Why it matters: Poor post-transplant survival of pancreatic islet organoids due to inadequate vascularization limits their therapeutic potential for type 1 diabetes.
• What they did: Researchers co-cultured pancreatic islet organoids with blood vessel organoids to create VPIOs with organotypic vasculature, resulting in integrated structures with functional blood vessels.
• The result: VPIOs showed enhanced β cell maturation, increased resistance to hypoxia and stress, improved survival after transplantation, and effectively restored normoglycemia in diabetic mice.