Biomedical devices comprise a major component of modern medicine. However, immune mediated fibrosis and rejection can limit their function over time. Although mouse models of fibrosis such as the immunocompetent C57BL/6 strain can generate robust fibrotic responses to implanted devices, murine and human immune systems can differ greatly and results in mice do not always translate to humans. The fibrotic response observed in non-human primates resembles that observed in humans, but this model carries with it financial and ethical concerns. Doloff et al have now developed a small animal model of fibrosis using human immune system engrafted immunodeficient mice, i.e., “humanized mice”. This small animal model recapitulates the cellular and molecular fibrotic response observed in humans. These humanized mice can be used to investigate the mechanisms of the human fibrotic response and approaches to ameliorate the response. Moreover, this model can be used to test human specific therapies that cannot be tested in immunocompetent mice.

Please join us in Congratulating the newly funded 2023 NIH NIDDK HIRN Gateway Investigators. This initiative is designed to support a robust pipeline of innovative projects and talented new investigators in T1D research.

The HIRN Year 5 & Year 6 Executive Summary Report is now available online! The report reflects significant HIRN breakthroughs, developments and advancements across the entire network. This 2-year report reflects activity from October 2018 through September 2020.

Cover Image: Dan Huh, Univ. Pennsylvania, CHIB Stanger UG3. A cross-sectional view of a vascularized three-dimensional biomimetic device visualized by scanning electron microscopy. A micro-capillary is seen in cross-section along with a functional pericyte (upper right) and surrounding matrix.

• • NIDDK Catalyst Award (RFA-DK-23-014) Due: September 29, 2023
  • Postbaccalaureate Research Education Program in Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolic Diseases (RFA-DK-22-037)