Spleen Transplants Show Promise in Treating Diabetes

Hope for Diabetes Treatment

New research suggests that transplanting cells into the spleen could be a major breakthrough in treating diabetes. Studies from China show this approach may transform the spleen, often considered a disposable organ, into a vital hub for managing the disease.

Spleen as a Treatment Center

A study published last month by scientists at Nanjing University and other institutions found that “shielding” islet cells improved their survival after being transplanted into the spleen to combat type 1 diabetes. They also discovered that the spleen could be engineered into a transplant center with nanoparticles, proving a more suitable long-term site than the liver.

“If the safety and effectiveness of the spleen as a host organ for islet transplantation are fully demonstrated through systematic clinical studies in the future, the spleen can be used as an ideal organ for islet transplantation,”

—Dong Lei, Professor and vice-dean of the Nanjing University school of life sciences

Worldwide, approximately 537 million adults currently live with diabetes. (WHO, 2023)

Understanding Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is a genetic autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks islet cells in the pancreas. These cells are responsible for producing insulin, which is necessary for turning blood sugar into energy. While medications such as insulin injections can help manage the symptoms of type 1 diabetes, which constitutes around 5% of diabetes cases, there is currently no cure.