RNA technology improves insulin-producing cell transplantation outcomes

August 6, 2026 - 03:42

Researchers at the Rolf Luft Research Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology in Stockholm have found a way to make transplanted insulin-producing cells last longer and work better. The team developed a targeted RNA technique that prepares pancreatic islet cells before they are moved into a patient's body.

Pancreatic islet cells are the cells that make insulin. For people with severe type 1 diabetes, transplanting these cells can reduce or even remove the need for daily insulin shots. But the procedure has a major problem. Many of the transplanted cells die soon after the transplant, partly because the body's immune system attacks them and partly because the cells struggle to adapt to their new environment.

The new approach uses small pieces of RNA to alter how the cells respond to stress. By treating the islet cells with this RNA before transplantation, the researchers made them more resilient. In lab tests and animal models, the treated cells survived longer and produced insulin more steadily after being transplanted.

The key is that the RNA does not change the DNA of the cells. It only adjusts their behavior for a short time. That means the treatment is temporary and does not carry the same long-term risks as permanent genetic changes.

The lead researcher said the goal is not just to keep more cells alive, but to make the transplant work well enough that patients need fewer donor cells. That could help more people receive transplants, since donor islets are scarce.

The team is now working on making the RNA treatment safe for human use. They hope to start small clinical trials within a few years. If the method works in people, it could be a practical step toward better diabetes care, without relying on pumps or frequent injections. The study was published in a peer-reviewed journal and was funded by Swedish research councils and the Novo Nordisk Foundation.