Devyani Goswami, Amity University Kolkata
The individuals having Type 1 diabetes have a loss of β cells. They are unable to synthesize insulin properly; insulin injections and pluripotent stem cell-derived β cells (SC β cells) have clothed to be promising treatment but not as effective as there remain certain drawbacks. The 2D cell cultures lack support in vivo conditions while 3D cell cultures are expensive. Resolving this problem, the researchers developed Disque Platform (DP), in which stem cell-derived β cells are aggregated into thin, 3D discs within 2D 96-well plates.
Β cells have high zinc concentration compared to other cells. Using this idea the researchers discovered a brand new zinc-binding prodrug (ZnPD), which establishes a release control based on the chelation of zinc ions. It provides a way for the specific delivery of drugs to β cells. Since 2D and 3D cell cultures have drawbacks, the invention of the Disque Platform for correct functioning and screening of this new prodrug has to take place. This new technique was checked against both the 2D and 3D cell culture systems, after which the Disque Platform was subjected to the events of ZnPDs supported harmine, which is capable of inducing human β cell proliferation.
The Disque Platform mimics the 2D and 3D culture very well; the experimenting and screening techniques were rapid and efficient. The harmine based ZnPD is more efficient than the earlier harmine treatment.
Although, further studies and researches are required to scale back the seedling size of the Disque platform so that the general price might be reduced. Overall, this method assures to be a discovery and could be utilized in experimental fields.
Also read: Human Gene in Fruit Fly Helps in MGS Study
REFERENCE: 1) New screening platform leads to discovery of next generation prodrugs for type 1 diabetes
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-12-screening-platform-discovery-next-generation-prodrugs.html
2) A 3D culture platform enables development of zinc binding prodrugs for targeted proliferation of β cells
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