Compared to the standard juvenile cells, adult Sertoli cells have enhanced protective properties that are particularly effective at protecting co-transplanted cells from being destroyed by the body’s immune system, according to Sernova.
The company says it has demonstrated that adult Sertoli cells protect insulin-producing islet cells in animal xenotransplants (pig cells implanted into rats), whereas xenotransplants using only islets are destroyed by the immune system within seven days.
Using its Sertolin technology containing adult Sertoli cells, implants have been shown to produce insulin and decrease insulin-dependence for up to 100 days in diabetic rats.