Effects Of Sertoli Cells Implantation On Type 2 Diabetes In Nonhuman Primates

Transplanted allo‐ and xenogeneic Sertoli cells, encapsulated in alginate, have been shown to successfully treat endocrine and neurodegenerative dysfunctions in experimental models with efficacy in the diabetic rodents. In order to determine the translational potential for therapeutic efficacy in humans, we have investigated its application in the spontaneously obese nonhuman primate with naturally‐occurring type 2 diabetes. Isolated Sertoli cells 0.05 to 0.1 × 10 9 cells/kg from outbred prepubertal piglets were encapsulated in alginate and injected (ip) into insulin‐treated diabetic monkeys. One month following transplantation there was a reduction in fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c decreased by 0.5–1.4% accompanied by a reduction of mean AM nonfasting glucose levels without change in daily insulin therapeutic doses (by design). Results suggest that this novel encapsulated cell transplantation treatment protocol utilizing xenogeneic Sertoli cells may have resulted in a potential positive therapeutic effect on the metabolic status of the diabetic condition which occurred without an apparent inflammatory response. Due to the therapeutic evidence and safety of Sertoli cell transplantation to provide clinical relief in models of diabetes, including the monkey, these data support additional studies in nonhuman primates to further establish potential for successful treatment of diabetes in human.