Human marrow-derived mesodermal progenitor cells generate insulin-secreting islet-like clusters in vivo

Transplantation of pancreatic islet cells is the only known potential cure for diabetes mellitus. However, the difficulty in obtaining sufficient numbers of purified islets for transplantation severely limits its use. A renewable and clinically accessible source of stem cells capable of differentiating into insulin-secreting beta-cells might circumvent this limitation. Here, we report that human fetal bone marrow (BM)-derived mesodermal progenitor cells (MPCs) possess the potential to generate insulinsecreting islet-like clusters (ISILCs) when injected into human fetal pancreatic tissues implanted in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. Seven essential genes involved in pancreatic endocrine development, including insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, pdx-1, glut-2, nkx 2.2, and nkx 6.1, are expressed in these BM-MPC-derived ISILCs, suggesting that ISILCs are generated through neogenesis of BM-MPCs. Our data further suggest that differentiation of BM-MPCs into ISILCs is not mediated by cell fusion. Insulin secretion from these ISILCs is regulated by glucose concentration in vitro, and transplantation of purified ISILCs normalizes hyperglycemia in streptozocin (STZ)- induced nonobese diabetic (NOD)/SCID mice.     

Systemic Administration of Multipotent Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Reverts Hyperglycemia and Prevents Nephropathy in Type 1 Diabetic Mice

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), often labeled mesenchymal stem cells, contribute to tissue regeneration in injured bone and cartilage, as well as in the infarcted heart, brain, and kidney. We hypothesize that MSCs might also contribute to pancreas and kidney regeneration in diabetic individuals. Therefore, in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetes C57BL/6 mice, we tested whether a single intravenous dose of MSCs led to recovery of pancreatic and renal function and structure. When hyperglycemia, glycosuria, massive beta-pancreatic islets destruction, and mild albuminuria were evident (but still without renal histopathologic changes), mice were randomly separated in 2 groups: 1 received 0.5 × 10⁶ MSCs that have been ex vivo expanded (and characterized according to their mesenchymal differentiation potential), and the other group received the vehicle. Within a week, only MSC-treated diabetic mice exhibited significant reduction in their blood glucose levels, reaching nearly euglycemic values a month later. Reversion of hyperglycemia and glycosuria remained for 2 months at least. An increase in morphologically normal beta-pancreatic islets was observed only in MSC-treated diabetic mice. Furthermore, in those animals albuminuria was reduced and glomeruli were histologically normal. On the other side, untreated diabetic mice presented glomerular hyalinosis and mesangial expansion. Thus, MSC administration resulted in beta-pancreatic islets regeneration and prevented renal damage in diabetic animals. Our preclinical results suggest bone marrow-derived MSC transplantation as a cell therapy strategy to treat type 1 diabetes and prevent diabetic nephropathy, its main complication.     

Histological and immunohistochemical investigations on the transplanted isolated islets of Langerhans in diabetic rats (author's transl)]

Isologous isolated islets of LANGERHANS were transplanted in the peritoneum and through the portal vein in the liver of diabetic rats. With the help of histological and immunohistochemical investigations, estimation of blood sugar and glucose tolerance tests was tested over a period of 12 month, whether the peritoneum or the liver is more suited as transplantation site for isolated islets of LANGERHANS. After transplantation of islets of LANGERHANS in the peritoneum of diabetic rats the blood glucose decreased and this effect could be maintained over a period of three months. The histological investigations showed strong periinsulinar reactions and the immunohistochemical insulin and glucagon proofs prospered over a period of three months. After transplantation of isolated islets in the liver it resulted in a normalization of blood glucose levels up to 12 months after transplantation and in this time prospered the immunohistochemical insulin and glucagon proof. These results have suggested, that the liver is more suited as transplantation site for isolated islets of LANGERHANS than the peritoneum.     

Formation of pancreatic duct epithelium from bone marrow during neonatal development

Recent reports suggest that bone marrow-derived cells engraft and differentiate into pancreatic tissue at very low frequency after pancreatic injury. All such studies have used adult recipients. The aim of our studies was to investigate the potential of bone marrow to contribute to the exocrine and endocrine components of the pancreas during the normal rapid growth of the organ that occurs during the neonatal period. Five to ten million bone marrow cells from adult, male, transgenic, green fluorescent protein (GFP) mice were injected into neonatal nonobese diabetic/severely compromised immunodeficient/beta2microglobulin-null mice 24 hours after birth. Two months after bone marrow transplantation, pancreas tissue was analyzed with fluorescence immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). Co-staining of GFP, with anticytokeratin antibody, and with FISH for the presence of donor Y chromosome indicated that up to 40% of ducts (median 4.6%) contained epithelial cells derived from donor bone marrow. In some of these donor-derived ducts, there were clusters of large and small ducts, all comprised of GFP+ epithelium, suggesting that whole branching structures were derived from donor bone marrow. In addition, rare cells that coexpressed GFP and insulin were found within islets. Unlike pancreatic damage models, no bone marrow-derived vascular endothelial cells were found. In contrast to the neonatal recipients, bone marrow transplanted into adult mice rarely generated ductal epithelium or islet cells (p<.05 difference between adult and neonate transplants). These findings demonstrate the existence in bone marrow of pluripotent stem cells or epithelial precursors that can migrate to the pancreas and differentiate into complex organ-specific structures during the neonatal period.     

Adult bone marrow-derived cells trans-differentiating into insulin-producing cells for the treatment of type I diabetes

Recent findings suggest that bone marrow (BM) cells have the capacity to differentiate into a variety of cell types including endocrine cells of the pancreas. We report that BM derived cells, when cultured under defined conditions, were induced to trans-differentiate into insulin-producing cells. Furthermore, these insulin-producing cells formed aggregates that, upon transplantation into mice, acquired architecture similar to islets of Langerhans. These aggregates showed endocrine gene expression for insulin (I and II), glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide. Immunohistochemistry also confirmed that these aggregates were positive for insulin, somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide and C-peptide. Also, Western and ELISA analysis demonstrated expression of proinsulin and/or secretion of active insulin upon glucose challenge. Subcapsular renal transplantation of these aggregates into hyperglycemic mice lowered circulating blood glucose levels and maintained comparatively normal glucose levels for up to 90 days post-transplantation. Graft removal resulted in rapid relapse and death in experimental animals. In addition, electron microscopy revealed these aggregates had acquired ultrastructure typically associated with mature beta (beta) cells. These results demonstrate that adult BM cells are capable of trans-differentiating into a pancreatic lineage in vitro and may represent a pool of cells for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.     

The immunofluorescence-microscopical evidence of insulin and glucagon in transplantated isolated Langerhans' islets in diabetic rats and dogs (author's transl)]

With the histochemical immunofluorescence technique were demonstrated the insulin and glucagon in the transplantated isolated Langerhans' islets in the liver at diabetic rats and dogs. Further on were tested the diabetic metabolic level with aid of clinico-chemical methods during the period of investigation (blood glucose, serum insulin, glucose tolerance test). It was found that after transplantation, 1 year by the rats and more than 8 weeks by the dogs, is existing a normoglycemic level. In the transplanted islets were seen a good immunofluorescence of insulin in the B cells and the glucagon in the A cells in all investigated stages.     

Morphological changes in pancreatic islets of KATP channel-deficient mice: the involvement of KATP channels in the survival of insulin cells and the maintenance of islet architecture

The ATP-sensitive potassium channel (KATP channel) is an essential ion channel involved in glucose-induced insulin secretion. The KATP channel is composed of an inwardly rectifying potassium channel, Kir6.2, and the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR 1); in the pancreas it is reported to be shared by all endocrine cell types. A previous study by our research group showed that Kir 6.2-knockout mice lacked KATP channel activities and failed to secrete insulin in response to glucose, but displayed normal blood glucose levels and only mild impairment in glucose tolerance at younger ages. In some aged knockout mice, however, obesity and hyperglycemia were recognizable. The present study aimed to reveal morphological changes in pancreatic islets of Kir 6.2-knockout mice throughout life. At birth, there were no significant differences in the islet cell arrangement between the knockout mice and controls. At 14 postnatal weeks glucagon cells appeared in the central parts of islets, and this image became more pronounced with aging. In animals older than 50 weeks insulin cells decreased in numbers and intensity of insulin immunoreactivity; most islets in 70- and 80-week-old mice were predominantly composed of glucagon cells and peptide YY (PYY)-containing cells. Staining of serial sections and double staining of single sections from these old mice demonstrated the frequent coexpression of glucagon and PYY, which is a phenotype for the earliest progenitor cells of pancreatic endocrine cells. These findings suggest that the KATP channel is important for insulin cell survival and also regulates the differentiation of islet cells.     

Analysis of pancreatic islet cells and hormone content in the spontaneously diabetic KKAy mouse by morphometry,immunocytochemistry and radioimmunoassay

Summary The splenic pancreas of 165 day old diabetic KKAy and age-matched nondiabetic C57BL/ 6 mice was examined by morphometry and immunocytochemistry at the light microscopic level and by radioimmunoassay to evaluate the morphology, surface area, endocrine cell composition and hormone content of the pancreatic islets. The insulin cells of the diabetic mice were severely degranulated and many of the glucagon, somatostatin and pancreatic polypeptide cells were displaced from the mantle to the core of the islet tissue where the non-insulin cells appeared to lose their continuity. The topography of some of the islets of KKAy mice was further deranged by acinar cells among the endocrine tissue. Morphometric analysis revealed that the surface area of the islets of KKAy mice was significantly expanded in comparison with that of C57BL/6 mice. The volume and numerical percents of the insulin cells were significantly increased whereas those of the glucagon and somatostatin cells were decreased in the KKAy mice. Since only the mean absolute number of insulin cells was elevated in the diabetic mice, the alteration in the relative proportions of the noninsulin cells and hypertrophy of the islets seemed to be a manifestation of insulin cell hyperplasia. Pancreatic insulin and somatostatin contents were markedly diminished in the islets of KKAy compared with those of C57BL/6 mice. These results demonstrate that the microscopic anatomy, endocrine cell populations and hormone content of the pancreatic islets are deranged in the KKAy mouse with severe hyperinsulinemia and hyperglycemia.     

Increased glucagon-stimulated insulin secretion of cryopreserved rat islets transplanted into nude mice

Cryopreservation is the only available technique for long-term storage of pancreatic islets. The freezing/thawing protocol may cause considerable loss of viable islet tissue and impair its function in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate glucose and insulin levels after transplantation of fresh and cryo/thawed rat islets. Rat pancreatic islets were isolated following intraductal collagenase injection and Ficoll gradient purification. After isolation, islets were cultured for 24 h and then either transplanted or frozen after stepwise addition of DMSO according to Rajotte et al. and stored in liquid nitrogen. After rapid thawing islets were stepwise transferred into RPMI medium and cultured for another 24 h. The recipients were athymic mice with streptozotocine-induced diabetes. Two hundred fresh (n=13) or cryo/thawed (n=15) islets were transplanted beneath the renal capsule. Glucose levels were measured for 14 days and blood samples for insulin determination were obtained 15 min after i.p. glucagon (10 mg/kg) administration on day 14. Glucose levels were normalized (<9 mmol/l) in all recipients within 3 days since transplantation. On day 14, mean fasting values±SE in fresh and cryo/thawed islet groups were 4.0±0.6 and 4.4±0.4 mmol/l, respectively (P>0.05). Fasting insulin levels were higher in the cryo/thaw than in the fresh islet group (1.67±0.33 vs 0.57±0.13 ng/ml; P<0.01). Post-glucagon levels did not differ significantly (1.45±0.24 vs 0.86±0.24 ng/ml; P=0.06). While glucagon significantly increased insulin levels (P<0.01) in the fresh islet group, no change in insulin levels was observed (P>0.05) in the cryo/thaw group. Immunohistochemical staining demonstrated fragmentation of viable islet tissue which was more apparent in the cryo/thaw group. We conclude that in a short-term study cryo/thawed rat islets produce higher insulin levels than fresh islets transplanted into nude mice. This may be due to better islet survival or loss of feed-back regulation.     

PDX1联合NKX6.1促进骨髓间充质干细胞分化为胰岛β样细胞

目的： 为提高骨髓间充质干细胞(BMSCs)向胰腺β样细胞的分化效率,以产生足够用于移植的胰岛样细胞。方法: 构建含PDX1与NKX6.1双基因的重组腺病毒载体,用重组腺病毒感染并联合多种细胞因子分步诱导BMSCs。用RT-PCR、Western blotting等多种方法分别检测PDX1、NKX6.1、胰岛素及C-肽表达情况;观测植入鼠肾包膜下的细胞形态与胰岛素、C-肽等相应分子表达情况以及检测植入细胞对糖尿病模型大鼠的血糖水平的调节能力。结果: BMSCs经重组腺病毒pAdxsi-CMV-PDX1/CMV-NKX6.1联合相应细胞因子分步诱导,双硫腙染色细胞质呈亮红色,RT-PCR显示诱导后的细胞持续稳定表达胰岛素、葡萄糖转运蛋白2(GLUT2)等β细胞相关分子;Western blotting、免疫细胞化学与间接荧光结果亦相似。所诱导的实验组细胞经5.5和25mmol/L葡萄糖刺激后胰岛素分泌水平分别为(1 240.4±109.3) mU/L和(3 539.8±245.1) mU/L, 并显著高于对照组的分泌量。移植实验组细胞可恢复STZ糖尿病小鼠血糖正常水平。结论: PDX1与NKX6.1联合细胞因子在体外能有效地诱导BMSCs分化为胰岛β样细胞;这种胰岛β样细胞移植能有效恢复STZ糖尿病小鼠的血糖正常水平,维持小鼠良好的生存状态,这将为治疗糖尿病带来新的希望。     

Diabetes mellitus in the BB/W rat. Insulitis in pancreatic islet grafts after transplantation in diabetic recipients.

Spontaneous diabetes mellitus in the BioBreeding/Worcester (BB/W) rat is preceded by lymphocytic insulitis which destroys pancreatic beta cells. Cultured major histocompatibility complex identical pancreatic islets and adrenal cortex derived from diabetes-resistant BB/W donors were transplanted into diabetic recipients with hyperglycemia of variable duration. Islet grafts were the targets of BB/W immune attack and revealed lymphocytic insulitis after transplantation into diabetic recipients even in the absence of insulitis within endogenous pancreatic islets. These findings suggest that the BB/W immune attack on pancreatic beta cells can recur in islet grafts long after the onset of the diabetic syndrome.     

Targeted disruption of the galectin-3 gene results in decreased susceptibility to multiple low dose streptozotocin-induced diabetes in mice

Galectin 3 (Gal-3) is an antiapoptotic and a proinflammatory lectin. We hypothesized that the proinflammatory properties of Gal-3 may influence disease induction in the multiple low doses of streptozotocin model of diabetes. Diabetes was induced in C57BL/6 Gal-3(+/+) and Gal-3(-/-) mice and disease monitored by blood glucose level, immuno-histology, insulin content of islets and expression of the proinflammatory cytokines, TNF-alpha, IFN-gamma, IL-17, and iNOS in pancreatic lymph nodes. Gal-3(+/+) mice developed delayed and sustained hyperglycemia, mononuclear cellular infiltration and reduced insulin content of islets accompanied with expression of proinflammatory cytokines. Gal-3(-)/(-) mice were relatively resistant to diabetogenesis as evaluated by glycemia, quantitative histology and insulin content. Further, we observed the weaker expression of IFN-gamma and complete absence of TNF-alpha, and IL-17 in draining pancreatic lymph nodes. Macrophages, the first cells that infiltrate the islet in this model of diabetes, produce less TNF-alpha and NO in Gal-3(-/-) mice. Thus, Gal-3 is involved in immune mediated beta cell damage and is required for diabetogenesis in this model of disease.     

间充质干细胞诱导糖尿病小型猪同种异体胰岛移植的免疫耐受

背景：胰岛移植为有望根治糖尿病的一种方法,而移植排斥问题阻碍了移植的开展,诱导受体对供体移植物的免疫耐受是解决同种异体移植排斥反应的关键。 目的：观察骨髓间充质干细胞输注对糖尿病小型猪同种异体胰岛移植物存活时间的影响。 方法：无菌条件下抽取动物骨髓,离心弃上清。取单核细胞层,洗涤后加入L-DMEM培养基,调整细胞浓度为1×10⁹ L^-1。培养48 h后换液去除未贴壁的细胞,依据贴壁培养法分离和扩增间充质干细胞。取第5代细胞作为移植供源,调整细胞浓度为1×10¹⁰ L^-1。四氧嘧啶制备糖尿病小型猪模型,随机分为骨髓细胞组和干细胞+骨髓细胞组,经肝门静脉分别植入胰岛细胞、骨髓细胞,胰岛细胞、骨髓细胞和骨髓间充质干细胞。 结果与结论：骨髓间充质干细胞联合骨髓细胞输注较单纯骨髓细胞输注能显著延长同种异体小型猪胰岛移植物存活时间(P < 0.05),同时受体血清胰岛素能较长时间维持较高水平。提示骨髓间充质干细胞输注能显著延长猪胰岛移植物存活时间,并促进胰岛移植物正常功能的发挥。     

碱性成纤维细胞生长因子基因真核表达载体转染骨髓间充质干细胞移植治疗糖尿病

BACKGROUND:Existing studies have shown that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells can significantly improve islet function in diabetic rats to decrease excessively high blood glucose level, which may be related to the enhancement of differentiation ability of autologou pancreatic stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To observe the therapeutic efficacy of basic fibroblast growth factor gene eukaryotic expression vector (PEGFP-C3-BFGF) transfection of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in diabetic rats. METHODS:Recombinant adenovirus (Ad.aFGF) mediated PEGFP-C3-BFGF was transfected into bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, and PEGFP-C3-BFGF expression was observed using fluorescence microscopy. Eighty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group, diabetes group, transplantation group, gene transfection group, with 20 rats in each group. After modeling, rats in different groups were given portal vein injection of normal saline, PBS, 1 mL of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell suspension, and 1 mL of PEGFP-C3-BFGF-transfected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell suspension. RT-PCR method was used to detect mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases in pancreatic tissue of rats in each group. Blood glucose levels of rats were detected at 24 hours, 3, 7, 14, 21 days after transplantation. ELISA method was used to detect plasma insulin levels in rats. Pathological changes of the pancreas were observed using hematoxylin-eosin staining. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Under the fluorescence microscope, PEGFP-C3-BFGF transfected into cells after 48 hours showed significant specific red fluorescence. Two weeks after transplantation, matrix metalloproteinases mRNA expression was significantly increased in the diabetes group compared with the control group (P < 0.05), while it was decreased in the transplantation and gene transfection groups compared with the diabetes group (P < 0.05). After transplantation, the blood glucose levels in rats were ranked as follows: control group < gene transfection group < transplantation group < diabetes group (P < 0.05), and the plasma insulin levels in rats ranked as follows: control group > gene transfection group > transplantation group > diabetes group (P < 0.05). Pathological findings of the pancreas showed that the transplantation group was superior to the diabetes group, but inferior to the gene transfection group that was similar to the control group. All these findings indicate that PEGFP-C3-BFGF-transfected bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation can improve blood glucose levels and stimulate insulin secretion in diabetic rats, which may improve the severity of diabetes mellitus by decreasing the mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinases.     

胰岛素瘤动物模型的建立及特性研究

 目的：建立胰岛素瘤的动物模型并分析其特性,为胰岛素瘤的深入研究奠定实验基础。方法：首先检测体外培养的大鼠胰岛素瘤细胞株INS-1的激素释放能力,然后将INS-1细胞移植到裸鼠左肾包膜下,或在移植后18 d或在移植前3 d联合腹腔注射链脲佐菌素(STZ)破坏动物自身胰岛。尾静脉采血检测血糖,当血糖＜2.8 mmol/L认为胰岛素瘤模型建立。对各种条件建立的模型,观察给予不同刺激物对血糖的影响以及动物血清中胰岛素含量;并对动物胰腺组织和移植细胞的肾脏组织标本进行免疫组化染色检测胰岛素和胰高血糖素。结果：胰岛素瘤细胞既表达胰岛素,同时也表达胰高血糖素。裸鼠接种INS-1细胞后3~4周血糖＜2.8 mmol/L;移植肾脏明显增大,形成明显肿瘤,直径≥1 cm。细胞移植后腹腔注射STZ的动物,血糖短暂回升,超过正常血糖水平,之后又逐渐下降,约2周后血糖＜2.8 mmol/L。正常裸鼠给予STZ后血糖明显升高,移植INS-1细胞后动物血糖逐渐下降,约4周后血糖降至2.8 mmol/L。与正常对照组相比,3种方法建立的胰岛素瘤模型给予高糖后,动物血糖峰值低。高糖加精氨酸或乙酰胆碱刺激后,正常动物血糖峰值较单纯高糖刺激降低,并较快降至正常水平,但3种胰岛素瘤模型组血糖升高均明显超过单纯高糖刺激者。高糖加去甲肾上腺素刺激后,正常动物血糖达到峰值时间延迟,血糖水平下降缓慢,3种胰岛素瘤模型组血糖较单纯高糖刺激组有所升高。与正常对照组相比,3种胰岛素瘤模型血浆基础胰岛素的水平明显升高。结论：通过给裸鼠肾包膜下移植INS-1细胞,可建立胰岛素瘤动物模型,且瘤细胞同时表达胰岛素和胰高血糖素,不易被STZ破坏。该模型为进一步探讨胰岛素瘤的发病机制奠定实验基础。     

骨髓间充质干细胞移植对糖尿病模型大鼠肾脏的保护作用

BACKGROUND:So far numerous theoretical studies have shown the treatment effect of stem cell transplantation for chronic complications of diabetes, while its treatment effects on diabetic nephropathy have not yet been confirmed in animal models. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the protective effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation on the kidney in rat models of diabetes. METHODS:Rats were fed with high-sugar and high-fat diet for 4 weeks, and then were given injection of streptozotocin to establish type 2 diabetic rat models. At 2 days after modeling, bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were injected via the tail vein (stem cell transplantation group). In the meanwhile, control and diabetes groups were established. At 21 days after cell transplantation, levels of glucose, triglyceride and insulin in the tail vein were detected. Additionally, morphological observations of kidney and pancreatic tissues were performed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The levels of blood sugar, insulin and triglycerides in the diabetes group were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). Blood glucose and insulin levels in the stem cell transplantation group were significantly lower than those of the diabetes group (P < 0.05). In addition, mesangial area and glomerular volume in the stem cell transplantation group were significantly lower compared with the diabetes group (P < 0.05). These results confirm that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation can reduce levels of blood glucose and serum insulin, contributing to the repair of damaged pancreas and kidney.     

Ameliorative effects of bone marrow derived pancreatic progenitor cells on hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in diabetic rats

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Bone marrow derived pancreatic progenitor cells (BM- PPCs) in diabetic rats. It was conducted on 30 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200–220?g. They were divided into three groups: (a) Group 1 was the control group; (b) Group 2 was the diabetic (induced diabetic by a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of streptozotocin (STZ) (60 mg/kg) and (c) Group 3 was the treated (received injection of 2.5 X 10⁶ BM- PPCs via the tail vein twice with a 21-day time interval). The blood glucose level was estimated weekly, the oxidative stress and insulin gene expression were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Pancreatic tissue histopathology was performed. The insulin immuno-histochemical reaction was applied to the islets. The blood glucose level was reduced in the treated group over time till reaching its acceptable level whereas it was increased in the diabetic group. The oxidative stress was decreased in the treated group compared to the diabetic one. The treated group showed increased expression of the insulin gene compared to the diabetic group. The immune-histochemical analysis of insulin showed an increased number and size of pancreatic islets in the treated group compared to the diabetic one. Thus, the twofold injection of BM- PPCs could restore the normal beta-cell morphology and function.     

微囊化大鼠胰岛细胞移植治疗糖尿病小鼠的实验研究

观察微囊化和未囊化大鼠胰岛细胞移植治疗糖尿病小鼠的疗效。选用SD大鼠经胆总管原位灌注胶原酶液,分离消化胰腺组织,用淋巴细胞分离液(Histopaque-1077)纯化胰岛细胞,将微囊化和未囊化大鼠胰岛细胞移植于糖尿病小鼠腹腔。分离的胰岛细胞对刺激反应良好,微囊化和未囊化胰岛细胞移植后均可纠正糖尿病小鼠的高血糖状态,但未囊化胰岛细胞移植组只能维持血糖正常2~3d,而微囊化胰岛细胞移植组可持续降低血糖30d以上。微囊化胰岛细胞移植治疗糖尿病小鼠具有良好的效果,微囊具有较好的免疫隔离作用。     

Plasma-fibroblast gel as scaffold for islet transplantation

The transplant of pancreatic islets into the liver can restore normal blood glucose levels in patients with type I diabetes. However, long-term results have indicated that the site and method of transplantation still need to be optimized to improve islet engraftment. This study was designed to assess the efficiency of the use of clotted blood plasma containing fibroblasts ("plasma-fibroblast gel") as a scaffold for subcutaneous islet transplantation in diabetic athymic mice. Islets embedded in the plasma-fibroblast gel were able to resolve hyperglycemia in transplanted mice, restoring normoglycemia over a 60-day period and allowing gradual body weight recovery. Glucose clearances were significantly improved when compared to those recorded in diabetic animals and similar to those observed in the control group (free islets transplanted beneath the kidney capsule). Histological evaluation revealed functional islets within a subcutaneous tissue rich in collagen fibers that was well vascularized, with blood vessels observed around and inside the islets. These findings suggest that this approach could be used as an alternative option for the treatment of type I diabetes in human clinical practice.