Islet transplantation is a clinical procedure to treat patients with chronic pancreatitis after removal of their pancreases. Islet survival is influenced by several factors, including but not limited to triggering an inflammatory response. The loss of islet cells during transplantation can cause surgical diabetes, in which the patient will need insulin injections to regulate their blood sugar. The goal of this study is to test whether co-transplantation of the patient's stem cells, called mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), along with their islet cells, will protect transplanted islet cells from death, therefore reducing the patient's chances of getting surgical diabetes. MSCs can modulate immune cells and are a promising resource for cell-based therapy.

The objective of this study is to obtain viable mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from umbilical cords in uncomplicated planned cesarean deliveries. Potential donors will be screened prior to donation of umbilical cords to confirm no infectious disease, viruses and/or diseases. The overall goal is to obtain MSCs from healthy donors for eventual transfusion into patients for potential treatment of diseases, such as chronic pancreatitis, systemic sclerosis, type 1 diabetes, COVID 19, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and other diseases in studies approved by the IRB. We also want to store the cells as repository for other potential therapy.

Under this study, we would like to collect specimens from CP patients who will undergo pancreatic resection at the VA Hospital for in vitro experiments. In these experiments, we will determine whether immune cells from CP patients are different from cells from healthy donors purchased from ATCC or other commercial sources. We will then assess whether pre-culture of immune cells from CP patients with MSCs can shift them to less pro-inflammatory phenotypes that won't induce inflammation in neuronal cells. All studies will be done in vitro in the cell culture system. Exploring mechanisms that contribute to chronic pain is vital for veterans' health and VA healthcare.

The goal of this study is to determine the safety and efficacy of fresh metabolically active allogeneic umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (UC-MSCs) for the treatment of new-onset type 1 diabetes (T1D) and to understand the mechanisms of protection. If proven effective, such a strategy can be used as a therapeutic option for T1D patients and potentially other autoimmune disorders.