Kateryna Polishevska

Dr. Kateryna Polishevska

Surgery, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

4Years (2023-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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4 April 2023 in Pharmaceutics
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
KPKateryna Polishevska
Kateryna Polishevska
SKSandra Kelly
Sandra Kelly
PKPurushothaman Kuppan
Purushothaman Kuppan
KSKaren L. Seeberger
Karen L. Seeberger
SASaloni Aggarwal
Saloni Aggarwal
APAndrew R Pepper
Andrew R Pepper
Beta cell replacement therapies can restore glycemic control to select individuals living with type 1 diabetes. However, the obligation of lifelong immunosuppression restricts cell therapies from replacing exogenous insulin administration. Encapsulation strategies can reduce the inherent adaptive immune response; however, few are successfully translated into clinical testing. Herein, we evaluated if the conformal coating of islets with poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone) (PVPON) and tannic acid (TA) (PVPON/TA) could preserve murine and human islet function while conferring islet allograft protection. In vitro function was evaluated using static glucose-stimulated insulin secretion, oxygen consumption rates, and islet membrane integrity. In vivo function was evaluated by transplanting human islets into diabetic immunodeficient B6.129S7-Rag1tm1Mom/J (Rag-/-) mice. The immunoprotective capacity of the PVPON/TA-coating was assessed by transplanting BALB/c islets into diabetic C57BL/6 mice. Graft function was evaluated by non-fasting blood glucose measurements and glucose tolerance testing. Both coated and non-coated murine and human islets exhibited indistinguishable in vitro potency. PVPON/TA-coated and control human islets were able to restore euglycemia post-transplant. The PVPON/TA-coating as monotherapy and adjuvant to systemic immunosuppression reduced intragraft inflammation and delayed murine allograft rejection. This study demonstrates that PVPON/TA-coated islets may be clinically relevant as they retain their in vitro and in vivo function while modulating post-transplant immune responses.