Differentiation of stem cells into functional replacement cells and tissues is a major goal of
the regenerative medicine field. However, one limitation has been organization of
differentiated cells into multi-cellular, three-dimensional assemblies. The islets of
Langerhans contain many endocrine and non-endocrine cell types, such as insulin-
producing β cells and endothelial cells. Transplantation of exogenous islets into diabetic
patients can serve as a cell replacement therapy, replacing the need for patients to inject …

Differentiation of stem cells into functional replacement cells and tissues is a major goal of
the regenerative medicine field. However, one limitation has been organization of
differentiated cells into multi-cellular, three-dimensional assemblies. The islets of
Langerhans contain many endocrine and non-endocrine cell types, such as insulin-
producing β cells and endothelial cells. Despite the potential importance of endothelial cells
to islet function, facilitating interactions between endothelial cells and islet endocrine cell …