{
  "id": 222989,
  "title": "Bioengineers develop biochemical halo to cloak insulin-producing cells from body defenses",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/bioengineers-develop-biochemical-halo-to-cloak-insulin-producing",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-08-06T14:31:17.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Phys.org",
    "slug": "phys-org",
    "url": "https://phys.org/news/2026-08-bioengineers-biochemical-halo-cloak-insulin.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Scientists at Rice University have devised a novel technique to shield insulin-producing cells from the body's immune response. The researchers engineered a protein called interleukin 10 (IL-10) into a localized biochemical halo around the transplanted pancreatic beta cells. Published in Science Advances, the study demonstrated that the IL-10-haloed cells maintained stable blood sugar regulation in diabetic mice for over 100 days, a duration nearly five times longer than unprotected cells. This breakthrough could pave the way for a permanent cure for type 1 diabetes (T1D) and enhance the efficacy of implantable therapies. Dr. Dilrasbonu Vohidova, a Rice bioengineering doctoral student and co-first author, explained that the approach maintains overall immune function while protecting the transplanted cells. The team's success in reducing fibrosis, the buildup of scar-like tissue around implanted materials, suggests that this method could also benefit other implantable treatments, potentially transforming the lives of millions with T1D.",
  "summary": "A protein known as interleukin 10 (IL-10) is the lynchpin of a new method to protect transplanted cells from host immune system attacks. Rice University researchers engineered a living factory to produce a localized biochemical halo of IL-10 to suppress immune rejection of pancreatic beta cells.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}