Development of a method for isolation of islets from human fetal pancreas

Three methods for the preparation of islets from human fetal pancreas (17.4 +/- 1.2 wk gestational age) were compared. In each method, the pancreases were minced and followed by 1) no collagenase digestion, 2) 5 min of collagenase digestion, or 3) 14 min of collagenase digestion. The culture conditions prevented adherence of the fragments. Culture for 6-7 wk of minced fetal pancreas without collagenase digestion resulted in fragments that were a mixture of cells positive for insulin or glucagon, ducts, necrotic debris, and other unidentified cells with complete degeneration of the acinar cells. Culture of minced pancreas digested for 5 min with collagenase resulted in fragments that superficially appeared to be islets but did not have the size characteristics of human fetal islets and contained fibrous and duct elements not seen in islets. Culture of minced pancreas digested for 14 min with collagenase resulted in islets that were released into the medium and harvested by picking. These islets were morphologically similar to islets of the intact human fetal pancreas and isolated islets from rat neonatal pancreas. These islets and fragments were viable for at least 7-8 wk in culture.     

Significant progress in porcine islet mass isolation utilizing liberase HI for enzymatic low-temperature pancreas digestion.

BACKGROUND: Frequent success in human islet isolation is prevented by the large variability of scarce organ donors; this favors the future utilization of pigs as donors for clinical islet xenotransplantation. Porcine-specific difficulties of islet isolation are attributed to the intrinsic fragility of islets during pancreas digestion. METHODS: To preserve islet integrity during efficient pancreas dissociation, porcine pancreata (n=48) were distended after cold storage with cold University of Wisconsin solution containing Liberase HI and digested at 24-28 degrees C using digestion-filtration. Pancreata distended with University of Wisconsin solution containing well-proven crude collagenase and digested at 32-34 degrees C served as controls (n=46). Monolayer Ficolldiatrizoate gradient purification was performed in a Cobe 2991. RESULTS: Purified yield of islet equivalents per pancreas (mean+/-SEM) was almost doubled by Liberase HI compared with crude collagenase (526,480+/-46,560 vs. 270,270+/-19,420; P < 0.0001) and also significantly increased comparing islet equivalents per gram of pancreas (4,210+/-320 vs. 2,640+/-245; P=0.0004). Islet integrity was better preserved during Liberase HI digestion compared with crude collagenase digestion as indicated by isolation index (2.1+/-0.1 vs. 1.4+/-0.1; P<0.0001). Purity, viability, and in vitro function of islets did not differ between experimental groups. Preserved in vivo function of islets isolated by Liberase HI was demonstrated after subcapsular transplantation into 16 diabetic nude rats. CONCLUSIONS: If the problems related to xenograft rejection and xenosis could be solved, low-temperature digestion of porcine pancreata using Liberase HI could serve as an essential prerequisite for successful 1:1 xenotransplantation of pig islets into type 1 diabetic human recipients.     

Inducible nitric oxide synthetase is expressed in adult but not fetal pig pancreatic islets

Abstract: Cytokine-induced expression of inducible nitric oxide synthetase (iNOS) and production of nitric oxide (NO) by pancreatic islet cells has been suggested as one potential mechanism for beta cell destruction. In this study, we investigated the role of iNOS and NO in islet primary non-function. Islets were assessed for their function, viability and expression of iNOS. Adult rat and pig islets isolated by collagenase digestion and fetal pig pancreas (FPP) grafts isolated by collagenase digestion or high oxygen culture were transplanted into C57BL6 mice and nude mice. iNOS protein was detected by immunohistochemistry. iNOS protein was found in normal rat and pig pancreas and adult rat and pig islets that were isolated by collagenase digestion and transplanted into either C57BL6 mice or nude mice. iNOS was not detected in fetal pig islet grafts, regardless of whether collagenase was used in the isolation process. In adult pig islet grafts, the presence of iNOS protein correlated with high levels of islet cell apoptosis and primary non-function. Despite the persistent presence of iNOS in rat islets, there was no evidence that it had a deleterious effect on rat islet viability, or function. Therefore, in isolated adult pig islets, there was a correlation between iNOS expression and apoptosis, suggesting that iNOS activation may be deleterious to the adult pig islets. However, other factors such as the fragility of the islet capsule may be equally important. By contrast, fetal pig islets did not express iNOS and this may be an important reason for their enhanced viability when compared with adult islet tissue.     

Standardization fo a digestion-filtration method for isolation of pancreatic islets.

Standardization of a technic for isolating large numbers of pancreatic islets is described. This procedure employed collagenase digestion of rat pancreatic tissue in a cylindrical wire screen in order to separate isolated islets from undigested pancreas. From this basic protocol the following conditions were established: (1) the duration of the initial digestion period was found to be optimal at six minutes; (2) three subsequent digestions of one minute each effected maximum islet yield; (3) the optimal initial collagenase concentration was found to be 1,000 U. (Worthington)/ml.; and (4) proper reductions of collagenase concentrations during the three subsequent digestions were found to be 50 per cent of each preceding incubation period. This method, combined with Ficoll gradient separation, yielded a mean of 800 islets per two rat pancreases. The isolated islets appeared morphologically intact, contained 0.36 +/- 0.05 mug. protein/islet, and demonstrated a normal biphasic release of insulin in response to stimulative levels of D-glucose. The present method provides a means for obtaining a large mass of viable islet cell tissue in a short time.     

人胰岛在分离、纯化过程中的细胞凋亡及氧化损伤

目的 探讨胰岛在获取、分离及纯化等过程中出现细胞凋亡的相关因素及应对策略.方法 经供者腹主动脉灌注4℃的UW液后,切取供者胰腺,并进行胶原酶灌注、消化及梯度离心,分离、提取胰岛.分别于胶原酶灌注前、灌注后、消化后及胰岛分离后等时点,采用原位末端标记法(TUNEL法)检测胰岛细胞凋亡情况,采用比色法检测超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)与丙二醛(MDA)水平,采用HE染色和双硫腙染色观察胰岛的形态学改变.结果 在分离、纯化胰岛的各个过程中,均出现了胰岛细胞凋亡的现象,其中在胶原酶灌注后和消化后最为明显,并伴随MDA的高表达,表达水平分别为(6.18±2.38)nmol/mgprot和(9.21±2.75)nmol/mgprot,均明显高于灌注前的(4.21±1.83)nmol/mgprot(P＜0.05和P＜0.01);而此时SOD水平则显著下降,至胰岛分离后仍处于较低水平,与灌注前相比,差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.05和P＜0.01).胶原酶灌注前,胰岛结构完整;胶原酶灌注后,胰岛周围组织结构膨胀;消化后,胰岛膜性结构被破坏,但能勉强维持岛状结构;胰岛分离后结构基本完整.结论 在提取胰岛的过程中,胶原酶灌注及消化可引起胰岛细胞凋亡,其机制可能与氧化损伤有关,抗氧化措施可作为移植前保护胰岛的手段.

Abstract：

Objective To observe the changes of islet cell apoptosis and oxidation-antioxidation before the transplantation, and to explore the pathways of islet protection. Methods Fifteen human pancreases were perfused with the Hanks solution containing collagenase, then digested and isolated. During the procedure, islet cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL, SOD and MDA in the pancreas were measured by colorimetric method, and the morphologic changes were observed by H-E staining and dithizone staining. Results In the procedure of human islet isolation, especially in the stage of digestion, the apoptosis of human islet cells occurred. In the stages of perfusion and digestion, the MDA contents reached the high levels (6. 18 ± 2. 38 and 9. 21 ± 2. 75 umol/mg protein respectively),and the structures of the islets and tissues around the islets were damaged. Conclusion In the stages of perfusion and digestion, apoptosis of islet cells can be caused by oxidation. It suggests that antioxidation is a pathway for protection of islets before transplantation.     

小鼠胰岛的分离与纯化

目的 探讨稳定、高效的小鼠胰岛细胞的分离纯化方法.方法 采用胆总管内灌注不同浓度胶原酶(分别为0.5、1.0、1.5 g/L)消化胰腺的方法分离BALB/C小鼠胰岛,Ficoll-400不连续密度梯度离心法纯化胰岛.双硫腙(DTZ)对胰岛进行特异性染色计算胰岛产量及纯度,葡萄糖刺激释放试验体外测胰岛功能.结果 不同浓度的胶原酶在不同时间内消化胰腺后收获的胰岛数量有较大的差异,其中采用0.5 g/L胶原酶V、38 ℃水浴消化20 min组收获量最大为(230±20)个胰岛细胞团,纯度约为90%.DTZ染色后胰岛呈腥红色,形态完整.葡萄糖刺激释放实验示高糖刺激后胰岛素释放量为低糖刺激后的2.3倍.结论 胶原酶浓度、消化时间和温度是影响小鼠胰岛分离结果的重要因素,当胶原酶浓度为0.5 g/L,消化时间20 min时可获得数量较多,纯度较好的胰岛细胞.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the stable and efficient method of isolation and purification from mice pancreas. Methods BALB/C mouse islets were isolated by different concentrations of collagenase digestion (0. 5, 1. 0, 1. 5 g/L respectively) and purificated by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation.The number, purity and vitality of the islets were analyzed. The production and purity of the islets were checked by Dithizone immunofluorescence staining. The glucose-induced insulin secretion was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for islet function in vitro. Results Different number of islets was obtained by mice pancreas digestion with different concentrations of collagenase and for different digestion durations.After the mouse pancreata were digested in 38 C and with 0. 5 g/L collagenase V for 20rmin, maximum number of islets was obtained, and the purity of the final preparation was ＞ 95%. After culture in vitro, insulin release of islets under high glucose stimulation was 2. 3 times of that under low glucose stimulation. Conclusion Concentration of collagenase, temperature, and digestion duration were important factors of islet isolation and purification from mice pancreas. More production and higher purity of islets were obtained under the concentration of 0. 5 g/L collagenase Ⅴ for 20 min.     

Reproducible high yield of rat islets by stationary in vitro digestion following pancreatic ductal or portal venous collagenase injection

Pancreatic distension with collagenase solution followed by stationary in vitro digestion yields large numbers of intact islets. We compared in rats two routes of collagenase injection, pancreatic ductal (PD) and portal venous (PV), for islet yield, in vitro insulin secretory capacities, and in vivo functional viability. The islet yield in the PD method (n = 11) was greater than that in the PV method (n = 8) (682 +/- 27 vs. 417 +/- 39 per pancreas, P less than 0.025). The insulin release from the PD islets in response to 16.7 mM glucose increased gradually following culture, 3.2 +/- 0.8 ng/10 islets/30 min (fresh) to 12.3 +/- 2.1 (24-hr culture). In contrast, insulin release from the PV islets increased during the first 6 hr of culture, but decreased after 24 hr in culture. Under electronmicroscopic examination, the PD islets revealed a well preserved structure with healthy endocrine cells, while the PV islets showed a dilated capillary network and distorted endocrine cell continuity. When 100 PD islets were transplanted into streptozotocin-induced diabetic B6AF1 mice (n = 8), all the recipient mice restored normoglycemia (less than 200 mg/dl) within 1-4 days following transplantation and maintained it until rejection. However, the recipient mice given 100 PV islets showed a significant delay in restoring normoglycemia, and 3 of 8 mice given 100 PV islets were still hyperglycemic on day 4 postgrafting. In summary, pancreatic ductal collagenase injection followed by stationary in vitro digestion reproducibly yields higher numbers of intact and viable islets when compared with portal venous collagenase injection, indicating the superiority of this method to portal venous injection.     

Application of the two-layer method on pancreas digestion results in improved islet yield and maintained viability of isolated islets

BACKGROUND: Oxygenation of the pancreas during preservation by the two-layer method (TLM) has shown beneficial effects in islet transplantation. Here, we apply this concept (oxygenation) to the isolation process. METHODS: Rat pancreases were digested using four different methods. Pancreases were digested with preoxygenated perfluorocarbon (PFC) in group 2 and without it in group 1. Additionally, adenosine was included in the collagenase solution in subgroups B but not in subgroups A. Islet yields and viability were compared between groups. RESULTS: Tissue oxygen tension in group 1 was essentially zero during digestion, but rapidly reached around 300 mm Hg and was maintained in group 2. The tissue adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level in rat pancreas just after laparotomy (control) was 4.2+/-0.7 micromol/g dry weight; after digestion, it was 0.12+/-0.03 micromol/g, 0.70+/-0.10 micromol/g, 0.30+/-0.18 micromol/g, and 2.90+/-0.80 micromol/g in groups 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B, respectively. No significant differences were observed between group 2B and control (P=0.19). Islet yields (IEQ/pancreas) were 1600+/-400, 1400+/-400, 1300+/-400, and 2400+/-100 in groups 1A, 1B, 2A, and 2B, respectively. The islet yield of group 2B was significantly higher than other groups (P<0.05). The cure rate after transplanting 200 islets into athymic nude mice did not differ (80% in all groups). The stimulation indices in the four groups were also the same. CONCLUSIONS: Tissue ATP levels after digestion were well maintained using TLM with adenosine digestion method. Consequently, greater numbers of islets could be retrieved. The new method was at least equivalent to islet function isolated by conventional method. Clinical study is therefore warranted.     

一种快速分离纯化小鼠胰岛的方法

目的 介绍一种快速分离纯化小鼠胰岛的方法及进行纯化后胰岛的活性、完整性和胰岛内结构的质量分析.方法 雄性ICR小鼠,采用2 mg/mL胶原酶V灌注和消化,并用Hanks液快速洗涤,用Histopaque（R）-1077和Histopaque（R）-1119密度梯度离心对胰岛进行纯化,用手工方法进行胰岛挑选,DTZ、FD-PI染色鉴定胰岛纯度及其活性,透射电镜观察胰岛内的结构.结果 胰岛开始消化至手工挑选前过程耗时＜ 25 min,每只小鼠得到胰岛数量为：128±36,当量为：145±42,纯度＞90％.透射电镜显示胰岛内部血管仍有损伤.结论 采用此方法可快速得到数量较多、结构较完整的小鼠胰岛,且活性高,为进一步进行胰岛的体外质量研究及体内移植奠定了基础.     

Automated method for isolation of human pancreatic islets

We describe an automated method for the isolation of human pancreatic islets. The procedure meets the following requirements: 1) minimal traumatic action on the islets, 2) continuous digestion in which the islets that are progressively liberated can be saved from further enzymatic action, 3) minimal human intervention in the digestion process, and 4) high yield and purity of the isolated islets. After purification on Ficoll gradients, an average of 164,600 islets/pancreas was obtained (2279 islets/g), with an average purity of 78.5% islets. The average volume and average insulin content of the final islet preparation were 348 mm3 and 93.4 U, respectively. The islets were morphologically intact with a normal degree of beta-granulation and responded to glucose stimulation with a fivefold increase of insulin secretion over basal levels. The procedure is now being used for the initiation of the second phase of clinical trials on human islet transplants.     

Use of trypsin for isolation of islets of Langerhans in the rat.

A new technique for pancreatic islet isolation, based on trypsin administered into the pancreatic duct system and a reduced amount of collagenase for digestion of the removed and chopped pancreatic tissue, yielded viable islets as judged by the metabolic response of 27 inbred, streptozotocin-diabetic rats after intraportal transplantation of the islets: all recipients of greater than 240 islets normalized their blood glucose, plasma insulin, urine volume and urinary glucose. The number of islets isolated was the same as with the conventional collagenase technique.     

Influence of donor age on bovine pancreatic islet isolation

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic islets from pigs are largely used for experimental studies. However, pancreas harvesting requires modification of conventional slaughtering to reduce ischemia time. It has been shown that bovine pancreatic islets can be more easily obtained and they show satisfactory in vitro and in vivo function. To improve the isolation procedure we compared the effect of bovine donor age on islet isolation. METHODS: Islets were isolated by collagenase digestion and sequential sieving from calves (6 months of age) and from adult bovine (> 16 months of age). After isolation the number of islet equivalents was calculated and histological and immunohistochemical studies performed. The purity and viability of islet for each preparation was also estimated. In vitro function of islets was evaluated by static insulin secretion assay, and alginate encapsulated islets were transplanted in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for in vivo functional evaluation. RESULTS: A significantly higher number of islets were obtained from calf pancreas, compared with adult bovine pancreas. Hystological examination showed intact morphologic features of islets. The purity of islet preparations was higher from calf pancreas than from adult pancreas. Cell viability, and insulin production in presence of high glucose concentration, were not affected by donor age. All animals receiving microencapsulated islets from calves showed normoglycemia for prolonged periods (17-40 days). CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that pancreatic islet isolation is more efficient from juvenile bovine than from adult. Calf pancreas is a good and convenient source of tissue for massive islet isolation for experimental studies.     

国产胶原酶在小鼠胰岛分离中的效果研究#br#

目的 研究一种国产胶原酶在小鼠胰岛分离中的分离效果,探索该胶原酶在胰岛分离中应用的 可行性。方法 将国产胶原酶分别配成不同浓度的胶原酶溶液和含中性蛋白酶的胶原酶的溶液,经胰管逆行灌注胶原酶的方法进行小鼠胰岛分离,采用Ficoll液对胰岛进行纯化,计数所得的胰岛细胞团,培养 6 h后检测活性,对最佳分离结果的胰岛做同系糖尿病小鼠的肾被膜下移植,监测术后血糖和进行组织学 检查,以进口Sigma胶原酶V为对照。结果 国产胶原酶在小鼠胰腺消化时间、所得胰岛数量和活性效果 上跟进口胶原酶V有一定差距（P＜0.01）,但含中性蛋白酶的国产胶原酶组在小鼠胰岛分离数量和当量上 与进口胶原酶组无差异（P＞0.05）,分离的胰岛在体内移植后降血糖效果与进口胶原酶组无差异（P＞0.05）。 结论 国产胶原酶结合中性蛋白酶可用于小鼠胰岛的分离。     

Isolation of pig pancreatic islets by a new method with hydraulic shaking: preliminary report

The limited availability of human pancreas represents a serious problem in islet transplantation. In the past few years many efforts have been made to isolate pancreatic islets from large mammals in order to achieve valid and reproducible isolation methods [1–4]. For several reasons swine may be considered an ideal source of islet tissue because of the similarity between human and porcine insulin and because of the easy availability of pig pancreata. Some papers have been published recently on this topic with good results [1, 5–7]. However, some problems, such as islet dissociation into single cells after collagenase digestion, are not completely solved. In this article, an automated method involving a hydraulic shaking system is described for islet isolation from the pig pancreas, developed in our laboratory and derived from Ricordi's model.     

Adenine nucleotide levels in a closed enzymatic digestion system for porcine islet isolation

Obtaining viable islets is a crucial step for successful islet transplantation. Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is a marker of cell viability. However, little is known about any changes in the energy status of the tissues that are being digested during the digestion phase. We herein examined whether the ATP content in serially digested pancreatic tissue samples could be specific objective parameters that signal the optimal point to stop the digestion process. We obtained partial pancreata (body to tail) from 4- to 5-year-old pigs from a slaughterhouse. The tissue samples were preserved in M-Kyoto solution for less than 3 h. They were digested using an automated enzymatic and mechanical dissociation system at 37°C for 90 min following intraductal injection of Liberase HI. Samples were collected from the digestive circuit every 5 or 10 min to determine the ATP level, total adenine nucleotide (TAN) level, islet count (count/g), and yield of islet equivalent (IEQ) in the serial digestive fluids. The ATP and TAN levels, IEQ and islet count were increased and then decreased during digestion process. The profile of these parameters differed from case to case. However, when ATP changing ratio (respective value/precedent value) was compared with IEQ changing ratio, a greater than threefold increase in the ATP changing ratio followed by an increase in the islet count changing ratio within 5 min was consistently observed, indicating the optimal time to stop the digestion. The ATP levels of the handpicked islets in the digested samples were lower in the overdigested phase in comparison to those in the earlier digested phase. These results indicate that the ATP level in digested fluid could be an effective indicator to estimate the viability of cells as well as determine the optimal time to terminate the digestion process in order to obtain viable islets.     

新型胰岛分离液对小鼠胰岛分离效果的研究

目的  探讨新型胰岛分离液（IPS液）在小鼠胰岛分离中的分离效率及胰岛保护作用。方法  将消化后的小鼠胰腺按体积平均分为两组（IPS组和UW组）,分别应用IPS-Optiprep液及UW-Optiprep液进行连续梯度密度离心分离胰岛,比较两组分离液的分离纯化效率和分离后的胰岛活性。将诱导成功的糖尿病小鼠随机分为3组：实验组（n=10）,接受采用IPS-Optiprep液分离纯化的胰岛移植;对照组（n=10）,接受采用UW-Optiprep液分离纯化的胰岛移植;假性移植组（n=5）,仅给予手术但并不进行胰岛移植。分析3组小鼠术后血糖水平以及测实验组和对照组小鼠术后21 d的腹腔葡萄糖耐量试验的血糖水平。比较两种分离液的配制成本。结果  与UW组相比,IPS组的IPS-Optiprep液可提供更高的胰岛当量（IEQ）、胰岛纯度、回收率及胰岛完整度。胰岛形态观察可见,IPS组胰岛被膜完整,直径明显大于UW组。UW组纯化后的胰岛活性率高于IPS组[（88±5）%比（84±3）%,P < 0.01]。与UW-Optiprep液相比,IPS-Optiprep液可获得相当的在体胰岛功能。IPS-Optiprep液可显著降低胰岛分离纯化成本。结论  新型胰岛分离液IPS-Optiprep液在胰岛分离提纯中显示出较好的分离效率,增加了胰岛的纯度、完整度与回收率,并显著降低了纯化成本,但对胰岛细胞活性的保护作用稍逊,可能与胰岛的高完整度及IPS-Optiprep液中的内毒素有关。     

Comparison of modified Celsior solution and M-kyoto solution for pancreas preservation in human islet isolation

Since the successful demonstration of the Edmonton protocol, islet transplantation has advanced significantly on several fronts, including improved pancreas preservation systems. In this study, we evaluated two different types of organ preservation solutions for human islet isolation. Modified Celsior (Celsior solution with hydroxyethyl starch and nafamostat mesilate; HNC) solution and modified Kyoto (MK) solution were compared for pancreas preservation prior to islet isolation. Islet yield after purification was significantly higher in the MK group than in the HNC group (MK = 6186 ± 985 IE/g; HNC = 3091 ± 344 IE/g). The HNC group had a longer phase I period (digestion time), a higher volume of undigested tissue, and a higher percentage of embedded islets, suggesting that the solution may inhibit collagenase. However, there was no significant difference in ATP content in the pancreata or in the attainability of posttransplant normoglycemia in diabetic nude mice between the two groups, suggesting that the quality of islets was similar among the two groups. In conclusion, MK solution is better for pancreas preservation before islet isolation than HNC solution due to the higher percentage of islets that can be isolated from the donor pancreas. MK solution should be the solution of choice among the commercially available solutions for pancreatic islet isolation leading to transplantation.     

Sertoli cell-induced effects on functional and structural characteristics of isolated neonatal porcine islets

A lack of a sufficient number of human donor pancreases has stimulated interest in isolation and cryopreservation techniques for islets from the porcine pancreas. But because of a poorly developed outer membrane porcine islets are particularly susceptible to damage during cryopreservation. The aims of this study were two-fold: 1) to develop a method for isolation and storage of islets from neonatal porcine pancreas and, 2) to examine effects of Sertoli cells on islet yield and function in Sertoli cell-islet cell cocultures. A total of 170 neonatal porcine pancreases were processed by means of a short period of digestion with collagenase and culture of the tissues at 32°C for periods up to 7 days following isolation. Results were: The mean ± SEM, number of viable islets, and percentage loss of cells following 7 days of culture were 29, 442 ± 1,119 and 22.2 ± 1.2, respectively. Cryopreservation had a marked impact on recovery of viable islets: In absence of Sertoli cells an average of only 64% of islets remained viable; by contrast, when cryopreserved islets were cocultured with Sertoli cells, a mean of 82% was recovered. Glucose at 16.7 mmol/L had the capacity to elicit insulin release from 3-day-old cultured islets. The concentration in absence of Sertoli cells was 57.3 ± 3.8, uU/mL/10 islets; in the presence of Sertoli cells the level increased to a mean ± SEM of 112.8 ± 17.7, uU/mL/10 islets. Similar results were obtained following cryopreservation: glucose at 16.7 mmol/L stimulated a mean ± SEM of 27.9 ± 6.6, uU/mL/10 islets, of insulin in absence of, and 44.9 ± 9.9, uU/mL/10 islets, in presence of, Sertoli cells. Our results show that isolation and cryopreservation of neonatal porcine islets can be successfully accomplished. In addition, coculture with Sertoli cells significantly improves both the yield and functional capacity of islets following cryopreservation.     

A One–Step, Operator–Independent Method for Isolating Islets of Langerhans from the Porcine Pancreas

Abstract: Large–scale isolation of islets of Langerhans is one of the major obstacles in islet transplantation. Until now, isolation methods relied on enzymatic digestion, the duration of which relies on a decision dictated by the operator's experience. This approach has always hindered development of an automated method. The aim of this study was to develop a one–step method based on complete digestion of the pancreas. The original aspect of the technique (derived from the Ricordi method) is use of the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution in the digestion medium and a continuous flow collagenase processing circuit with local cooling and rewarming to allow tissue digestion to proceed at 37°C while settling of the cell suspension takes place at 4°C. A stopcock system permits the alternate use of two settling chambers so that while one is in the circuit, the other can be removed for cen–trifugation, resuspension of the crude islet preparation in collagenase in free UW solution, and further purification in a density gradient system. Ten experiments were performed, and 545, 750 ± 48, 670 purified pig islets were obtained per totally digested pancreas. Histological studies showed cell integrity. Insulin secretion in response to double glucose stimulation under perfusion conditions demonstrated the functional viability of the isolated islets. In conclusion, this one–step method makes it possible to obtain a high number of viable islets of Langerhans in the absence of any decision by an operator, and it should therefore provide basis for an automated method.     

Peri-insular presence of collagenase during islet isolation procedures.

Reportedly, higher islet yields are obtained by ductal collagenase administration and subsequent digestion of the pancreas than by the chopped tissue collagenase digestion technique. However, the exact mechanism of islet isolation is not known. This study aims to understand the underlying mechanism of a favorable effect of ductal collagenase administration. To this end, we investigated if the higher yields can be explained by a different distribution of the collagenase enzymes in the pancreatic tissue after ductal application as compared to during chopped tissue digestion. India ink was used to mimic and visualize the distribution of collagenase in histological sections of pancreases of several species. Ink particles were seen around and even within the islets both after ductal application and during chopped tissue collagenase digestion. Thus, collagenase enzymes are not restricted to the exocrine tissue compartment with either technique. In view of this observation, we compared the efficacy of both techniques in islet isolation procedures in paired experiments in rats. Both techniques gave similar islet yields to those reportedly obtained with the ductal collagenase method. However, with either technique, the islet yield was only approximately 50% of the endocrine volume of the pancreas, indicating that a substantial loss of islet tissue had occurred. We conclude that, irrespective of the route of collagenase administration, collagenase enzymes are present in the peri-insular space during islet isolation procedures. This is pertinent in view of the finding that both methods have similar islet yields in rats and that collagenase digestion, as such, is associated with loss of islet tissue.