Coating May Protect Cell Transplants

A coating used on nonstick pans also could protect pancreas cell transplants, a study in mice suggests. The study used pancreas precursor cells. These cells develop into beta cells, which make insulin. People develop type 1 diabetes when the immune system attacks and destroys the beta cells. Researchers coated mouse precursor cells with the chemical used in Teflon coatings on pans. Then they transplanted the cells into mice. The immune system did not attack the cells. The precursor cells turned into beta cells that began to make insulin. Researchers say the study could lead to a new approach for treating type 1 diabetes. It was published in the journal Transplantation. The website medindia.com wrote about the study April 11.