正常成人胰岛移植治疗糖尿病的实验研究

目的探讨正常成人胰岛移植治疗糖尿病的作用。方法 2012年1月至2013年1月健康成人胰腺供体共13例。获取胰腺后经胶原酶消化并进行胰岛提取纯化,将纯化后的胰岛移植到糖尿病裸鼠肾包膜下为实验组,生理盐水代替胰岛移植为对照组,各13只。术后通过检测糖尿病裸鼠的血糖变化和组织学检查来判定胰岛移植后的存活情况和纠正血糖的效果。结果成人胰腺消化后胰岛产量为纯化前（3608±403）IEQ/g,纯化后（2820±318）IEQ/g,纯度为85%。实验组84.6%（11/13）糖尿病裸鼠在移植术后第1天,血糖降至正常,对照组血糖无明显变化。两组糖尿病裸鼠存活时间：实验组存活时间35～57d,中位存活时间46d。对照组存活时间5～12d,中位存活时间7d。两组比较差异具有统计学意义,Log-rank（Mantel-Cox）值为8.74,P值为0.0012。结论成人胰腺消化后,可得到高纯度活力正常的胰岛,并能纠正糖尿病裸鼠的高血糖。正常成人胰岛移植可能成为临床糖尿病患者的一种有效治疗方法。     

子鼠胰腺干细胞与胰岛联合移植治疗糖尿病

目的 探讨利用子鼠胰腺干细胞与胰岛联合移植保护移植胰岛,提高糖尿病移植疗效的可行性.方法 分离纯化孕16 d SD大鼠子鼠:胰腺干细胞培养传代,行Nestin免疫组织化学及流式细胞术鉴定;分离纯化SD大鼠胰岛,分联合移植组(10只)、单独移植组(10只)及正常对照组(10只),分别将2×105个子鼠:胰腺干细胞与800个胰岛和单纯800个胰岛移植至糖尿病大鼠模型左肾包膜下,定期监测各组大鼠血糖情况及留取血浆ELISA测胰岛素含量,观察胰岛存活时间.结果 子鼠:胰腺干细胞培养传代3代后细胞涂片免疫组织化学示存在Nestin阳性细胞,流式细胞术测定nestin阳性细胞含量占74.1%.联合移植组大鼠均于术后第3天起血糖开始下降,血浆胰岛素水平逐渐升高,术后5 d内血糖可降至正常[(5.4±0.6)mmol/L],血浆胰岛素达到正常水平[(509.8±16.6)ng/L],胰岛存活时间(18.2±2.4)d;单独移植组大鼠血糖可于术后1周内降至正常[(6.1±0.9)mmol/L],胰岛存活时间(14.4±2.1)d;两组胰岛存活时间差别有统计学意义(P《0.05).结论 子鼠胰腺干细胞与胰岛联合移植可保护胰岛功能,延长胰岛体内存活时间,提高移植疗效.     

激活型Akt1转染大鼠胰岛对移植物凋亡和再血管化的影响

目的 探讨腺病毒介导激活型蛋白激酶B(Akt1)基因(Adv-CA-Akt1)转染大鼠胰岛对同种糖尿病大鼠胰岛移植物凋亡和再血管化的影响.方法 分离纯化Wistar大鼠胰岛,转染Adv-CA-Akt1.36只糖尿病Wistar大鼠完全随机均分为3组: Adv-CA-Akt1组(Adv-CA-Akt1转染的胰岛移植); Adv-LacZ组(Adv-LacZ转染的胰岛移植); 未转染组(单纯胰岛移植).术后每日测血糖,隔日测血清胰岛素浓度,术后10 d行静脉糖耐量试验(IVGTT)观察胰岛功能; HE染色和胰岛素免疫组化检测胰岛功能,细胞凋亡原位检测胰岛凋亡,CD31免疫组化计数微血管密度(MVD).结果 Adv-CA-Akt1组大鼠血糖术后2 d恢复正常,Adv-LacZ组和未转染组血糖虽下降但仍高于正常; Adv-CA-Akt1组术后各时相血清胰岛素水平明显高于其他2组(P＜0.05).IVGTT示Adv-CA-Akt1组血糖下降较快,60 min恢复至空腹水平; 另2组下降慢,60 min仍未恢复至空腹水平.术后3 d,Adv-CA-Akt1组肾被膜下存活胰岛细胞数量多,胰岛素免疫组化证明为有功能的胰岛.Adv-CA-Akt1组胰岛凋亡率比Adv-LacZ组和未转染组降低约25%; 术后12 d,Adv-CA-Akt1组MVD比Adv-LacZ组及未转染组明显增高(P＜0.05).结论 激活型Akt1转染大鼠胰岛能够抑制胰岛细胞凋亡,提高胰岛β细胞功能,促进移植物早期再血管化.     

小鼠自体胰岛肌肉移植及疗效评价

目的探讨小鼠自体胰腺部分切除及自体胰岛的肌肉移植方法,并对术后小鼠进行疗效评价。方法选用C57BL/6小鼠,分为三组,胰腺部分切除后移植组为麻醉后切除十二指肠部沿胃大弯至脾部位的胰腺组织,并将胰岛纯化后移植至自体肌肉组织;以切除部分胰腺后未移植组和正常组作对照。结果小鼠自体胰腺部分切除和自体胰岛肌肉移植术后存活率较高,但在饲养过程中均出现持续体重下降和血糖不稳定,OGTT显示两组术后小鼠20、40 min的血糖均较正常组高,肌肉移植7 d后HE染色显示胰岛在肌肉中存活,但胰岛中心部位细胞有坏死。结论本研究建立了一种无免疫排斥下研究小鼠胰岛移植的方法,可为进一步探索改进胰岛移植研究提供参考。     

一种小鼠胰岛经门静脉肝内移植方法及疗效评价

目的 介绍一种糖尿病小鼠经门静脉到肝内胰岛移植的方法并进行移植前后的血糖、口服糖耐量、免疫组化等评价。方法 采用Balb/c小鼠,将分离纯化的小鼠胰岛培养6 h后,用自制的移植工具进行糖尿病模型小鼠的肝门静脉插管和输注胰岛,移植胰岛量为（320±30）IEQ,对移植前后的小鼠血糖进行测定,在移植后第10天进行糖耐量试验,并取受体小鼠肝脏,进行HE染色和免疫组化分析,观察胰岛细胞团在肝内的存活情况。结果受体小鼠胰岛移植后血糖均能长期维持正常,糖耐量试验结果显示与正常小鼠无统计学差异（P =0.81）,组织学结果显示胰岛细胞在小鼠肝内存活良好。结论 采用本方法可建立小鼠胰岛经门静脉移植到肝内的模型,为下一步进行胰岛移植相关药物筛选及免疫学等方面研究奠定了基础。     

经脾实质胰岛移植治疗糖尿病小鼠的实验研究

目的介绍一种经脾实质内胰岛移植治疗糖尿病小鼠的方法并对移植前后小鼠的血糖、口服糖耐量和组织学进行评价。方法将分离纯化的Balb/c小鼠胰岛培养6 h后,用自制的移植工具进行同种糖尿病小鼠的脾实质内胰岛输注,移植当量为(500±30)IEQ。对移植前后的小鼠血糖进行测定,并在移植后第10天进行糖耐量试验;取受体小鼠脾脏,进行HE染色和免疫组化染色,观察胰岛细胞团在脾内的存活情况。结果受体小鼠移植胰岛后均能维持正常血糖时间达1个月以上,糖耐量试验结果显示与正常小鼠统计学无差异(P=0.69),组织学结果显示胰岛细胞团在小鼠脾实质内存活良好,胰岛有功能,但结构略有松散。结论本研究探索了胰岛在脾实质内移植后的特点,为研究脾实质作为胰岛移植的位点提供了参考。     

STZ诱导裸鼠糖尿病模型的建立及观察

目的 通过链脲佐菌素(STZ)腹腔注射制备裸鼠糖尿病模型,观察其血糖及胰腺病理学改变.方法 选取裸鼠80只,随机分成为3个实验组和1个对照组,实验组分别行一次性腹腔注射100 mg/Kg、150 mg/Kg、200 mg/Kg剂量的STZ,对照组注射柠檬酸缓冲液.利用便携式血糖仪监测血糖值,观察糖尿病裸鼠模型的造模情况及其胰腺病理学改变.结果 注射剂量为150 mg/Kg STZ组,给药1周后测实验裸鼠血糖,该组有17只裸鼠达到成模标准,在10周时检测均并未出现转阴者.糖尿病裸鼠胰腺组织光镜下(HE染色)观察发现胰岛细胞减少,胰岛细胞出现变性、坏死.模型鼠糖尿病症状明显.结论 通过腹腔一次性注射150 mg/Kg剂量的STZ可有效地建立起糖尿病裸鼠模型,适用于大批模型的建立及组织工程相关研究.     

激活型Akt1转染大鼠胰岛联合免疫抑制剂在异种胰岛移植中的应用

目的 探讨腺病毒载体介导激活性Akt1基因(Adv-CA-Akt1)转染大鼠胰岛对异种移植胰岛功能和存活的影响.方法 以BALB/C糖尿病小鼠为受体,分离纯化雄性Wistar大鼠胰岛,体外培养,Adv-CA-Akt1转染后异种胰岛移植.受体小鼠分3组,实验组:Adv-CA-Akt1转染的大鼠胰岛体外培养24 h,小鼠肾被膜下移植,并口服环孢素A(CsA)30 mg·kg-1·d-1;CsA组:未转染胰岛移植,同剂量环孢素口服;对照组:单纯胰岛移植.每只接受300胰岛当量(IEQs)移植.检测术后血糖,移植物存活时间及组织病理学.结果 实验组和CsA组术后2 d血糖即降至正常,胰岛功能存活时间分别为(21.0±3.65)d和(9.0±2.54)d,而对照组血糖短暂下降后再次升高,胰岛功能存活时间(4.2±2.6)d.实验组小鼠生存时间为(31.0±5.67)d比CsA组(17.0±3.35)d和对照组(10.0±1.52)d明显延长,三组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);胰岛素免疫组化染色实验组.肾被膜下见较多有功能胰岛细胞团,而CsA组和对照组胰岛素染色阳性细胞数减少.结论 Adv-CA-Akt1转染大鼠胰岛联合应用免疫抑制剂,可提高胰岛功能,延长异种胰岛移植物存活时间.     

生物发光显像技术用于移植胰岛的在体监测

目的 探讨生物发光显像技术用于移植胰岛监测的优势和可行性.方法 成年雄性C57BL/6小鼠腹腔注射链佐星,制成糖尿病模型.取C57BL/6小鼠和Bclb/c小鼠胰腺,消化、分离、纯化,获得胰岛,再将荧光素酶基因转入胰岛.将糖尿病模型小鼠分为同系移植组(n=20)和同种移植组(n=7),同系移植组糖尿病模型小鼠移植不同数量(分别为10、50、100和200个,每个数量移植5只小鼠)的C57BL/6小鼠胰岛,同种移植组糖尿病模型小鼠移植Bclb/c小鼠胰岛,胰岛均移植至左后腿上方皮下脂肪内.在设计时间点对受者进行生物发光扫描成像,观察光密度强弱及变化规律,并监测同种移植组受者的随机血糖变化.结果 移植后第6天,扫描成像可见移植区光密度随移植胰岛数量增多而增高,光密度与植入胰岛数量呈正相关.同种移植组受者的随机血糖在移植后2 d内迅速下降至正常水平,平均于11 d后再度逐渐升高至糖尿病水平,扫描成像显示移植区光密度在移植后6～7 d达到峰值,随后迅速下降;光密度开始下降时间为移植后(6.14±0.90)d,而血糖升高时间发生在移植后(10.00±0.82)d,前者改变时间明显早于后者(P＜0.05).结论 胰岛生物发光显像技术可及时、直观、准确的反映移植胰岛在机体内的存活状况,其成像改变早于血糖变化.     

异体大鼠骨髓单个核细胞胰岛细胞移植治疗糖尿病

目的 观察异体骨髓单个核细胞和胰岛细胞通过肝脏和静脉途径移植后对糖尿病大鼠的治疗作用.方法 密度梯度离心法分离胰岛细胞,淋巴细胞分离液分离骨髓单个核细胞,28只糖尿病大鼠模型随机分为A、B、C、D组,A组在肝脏被膜下多点注射1000个胰岛细胞,B组在体外将1000个胰岛细胞和1×107个骨髓单个核细胞混合后在肝脏被膜下多点注射,C组通过尾静脉注射1000个胰岛细胞,D组在体外将1000个胰岛细胞和1×107个骨髓单个核细胞混合后通过尾静脉注射,移植后于不同时间点尾静脉测定随机血糖,比较不同细胞组合和移植途径之间对糖尿病的治疗作用.结果 A、B组血糖于术后3 d内开始下降,A组血糖可降至正常水平(7.98±2.28)mmol/L,血糖维持正常水平(3.71±0.95)d,B组降至(7.72±1. 75)mmol/L可维持(4.86±1.06)d,静脉移植组血糖于术后4 d内降至正常(7.35±1.40)mmol/L,可维持(7.85±1.46)d,D组静脉注射胰岛于4 d起效(7.00±0.83)mmol/L,血糖可降至正常水平可维持(14.10±1.21)d,各组间血糖随时间变化的趋势及维持正常水平的时间具有统计学意义(P＜0.05).结论 骨髓单个核细胞和胰岛混合细胞通过尾静脉移植对大鼠血糖维持正常时间最长,血糖控制水平最理想.     

Magnetic resonance imaging study of mouse islet allotransplantation

Although only 10% of islet transplant recipients maintain insulin independence, 80% of them are C-peptide positive at 5 years. To better understand the fate of transplanted islets, a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique has been used to detect superparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO)–labeled transplanted islets. Recently, we successfully used a novel MRI contrast agent, chitosan-coated SPIO (CSPIO) nanoparticles, to monitor mouse islet isografts for 18 weeks after transplantation. In the present study, we tested whether CSPIO could be applied to monitor islet allografts, which are supposedly rejected without immune interventions. Male C57BL/6 and Balb/c mice were used as donors and recipients of islet transplantation, respectively. After overnight incubation with or without CSPIO (10 μg/mL), 300 C57BL/6 islets were transplanted under the left kidney capsule of each Balb/c mouse. Starting from day 10 after transplantation, 3.0-Tesla MRI of the recipients was performed weekly. Four mice were followed for ≥38 days. At 38 and 45 days, 1 islet graft was removed for insulin and Prussian blue staining, respectively. From days 10 to 45 after transplantation, CSPIO-labeled islet grafts were visualized on MRI scans as sustained distinct hypointense spots homogeneously located at the upper pole of left kidney, the site of transplantation. At days 38 and 45, the histology of CSPIO-labeled islet grafts revealed insulin and iron staining colocalized in the same areas. Our results in a mouse allotransplantation model indicated that CSPIO-labeled islets survived as long as 45 days with positive MRI.     

FTY720在鼠类异种胰岛移植排斥反应中的作用

目的 在小鼠异种胰岛细胞移植模型上，研究FTY720在控制异种胰岛移植排斥反应中的作用。方法 使用胰管内胶原酶注射和不连续密度梯度纯化法获取大鼠胰岛，建立小鼠肾被膜下移植模型。受体小鼠随机分为3组：对照组，末使用任何免疫抑制药物；实验1组，自移植当日起每日单独喂服FTY720(1.0mg／kg)；实验2组，亦于移植当日起每日联合喂服FTY720(1.0mg／kg)和环孢霉素A(CsA，15mg／kg)，均连续喂饲14d。分别于术后第3，5，7，14天切取移植物，观察并分析排斥反应。结果 对照组和实验1组，植入。肾被膜下的胰岛组织多在1周内完全被排斥，术后第7天胰岛轮廓消失，仅见大量淋巴细胞浸润。实验2组于移植后第7天及第14天肾被膜下仍可见大量完整的胰岛细胞，几乎未见或偶尔可见淋巴细咆浸润。结论 FTY720单独作为免疫抑制剂并不能抑制鼠类异种胰岛移植的排斥反应；联合应用FTY720及CsA则可有效地抑制鼠类异种胰岛移植排斥反应的发生。     

Co-encapsulation of Sertoli enriched testicular cell fractions further prolongs fish-to-mouse islet xenograft survival

BACKGROUND: We previously demonstrated that alginate microencapsulation can prolong fish (tilapia) islet xenograft survival in diabetic animals. However, at present, microencapsulation does not provide complete immune protection to discordant islet xenografts, and long-term graft survival requires supplemental low-dose systemic immunosuppression. In the present study, fish islets were co-encapsulated with Sertoli enriched testicular cell fractions to find out whether this would further prolong fish islet graft survival in diabetic mice. METHODS: Sertoli enriched testicular cell fractions were enzymatically harvested from adult Balb/c or Wistar-Furth rats. They were cultured and co-encapsulated with fragmented tilapia islets in alginate microcapsules. Encapsulated islets alone or islets co-encapsulated with Sertoli cells were then intraperitoneally transplanted into streptozotocin-diabetic Balb/c mice, and graft survival times were compared. Encapsulated and co-encapsulated islet function was also confirmed in streptozotocin-diabetic athymic nude mice. RESULTS: Co-encapsulation with Sertoli enriched testicular cell fractions further prolonged mean fish islet graft survival time from 21+/-6.7 days (encapsulated islet cells alone) to >46+/-6.3 days (co-encapsulated with syngeneic murine Sertoli cells), without additional systemic immunosuppression. Testicular cells harvested from xenogeneic Wistar-Furth rats produced similar protective results (>46+/-10.9 days). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the theory that Sertoli cells produce local immunosuppressive factors. These factors supplement the immune protective feature of alginate microcapsules in our model. Testicular cell fractions may be an important naturally occurring facilitator in the development of new microencapsulation systems for islet xenotransplantation.     

No transmission of porcine endogenous retrovirus after transplantation of adult porcine islets into diabetic nude mice and immunosuppressed rats

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate whether transmission of porcine endogenous retrovirus (PERV) occurs in a model of diabetes reversal by the xenotransplantation of adult porcine islets (APIs) into immunoincompetent diabetic rodents. METHODS: Black-6 nu/nu mice and Lewis rats were immunosuppressed with cyclosporin A (CsA) and FTY 720, and rendered diabetic with streptozotocin. Purified APIs were transplanted into the renal subcapsular space; 5,000 islet equivalents (IEQs) were used in the nude mice (n = 4) and 40,000 IEQs in the rats (n = 4). The nude mice were sacrificed at 75 days after transplantation. In order to confirm chronic xenograft function, the graft-bearing kidney was removed prior to sacrifice. The rats were followed until xenograft rejection, at which time they were sacrificed. Immediately after sacrifice, tissue samples (liver, spleen, and small intestine) were taken for analysis. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to assess evidence of PERV transmission, and porcine cell chimerism. RESULTS: All animals became normoglycemic within 48 h of transplantation. The nude mice remained normoglycemic during the 75-day study period, with removal of the graft-bearing kidney resulting in prompt hyperglycemia. The rats remained normoglycemic until xenograft rejection, which occurred at 66 +/- 28 days. Despite the evidence of porcine cell microchimerism in recipients, real-time PCR detected no evidence of PERV transmission in any of the tissue specimens tested. CONCLUSIONS: There was no evidence of PERV transmission following transplantation of pig islets into diabetic nude mice and immunosuppressed rats.     

α-1抗胰蛋白酶减轻人胰腺外分泌细胞对移植胰岛的损伤

目的 探讨胰腺外分泌细胞对胰岛移植物的损伤作用及α-1抗胰蛋白酶(A1AT)对胰岛β细胞的保护作用.方法 (1)体内实验:消化成人尸体部分胰腺,人工挑选胰岛,并收集胰腺外分泌细胞.链脲霉素腹腔注射诱导Balb/c-Nu裸小鼠成为糖尿病小鼠.对照组(n=6)小鼠每只于左肾包膜下移植成人胰岛250个;共同移植组(n=7)小鼠每只分别于左肾包膜上、下极同时植入胰岛250个和等体积的胰腺外分泌细胞.持续检测受鼠血糖,28d后切取左肾,以免疫组织化学染色(SP法)观察左肾包膜下抗淀粉酶抗体的表达,并继续检测血糖.(2)体外实验.纯化胰岛组(n=6),每孔250个胰岛进行培养;非纯化胰岛组(n=6),每孔250个胰岛和等体积外分泌细胞同时培养;非纯化胰岛+A1AT组(n=6),每孔250个胰岛和等体积外分泌细胞同时培养,并加入A1AT0.5 mg/ml.48 h后,测定各孔胰岛中胰岛素含量和上清液中胰蛋白酶浓度.结果 (1)胰岛移植后,对照组和共同移植组受鼠血糖均逐步恢复正常.共同移植组较对照组血糖恢复正常时间延迟,组间比较差异有统计学意义(P＜0.01).切取受鼠左肾后5 d(移植后33 d),两组受鼠血糖均＞21 mmol/L.共同移植组可见肾包膜下有大量抗淀粉酶抗体阳性细胞,对照组少见.(2)纯化胰岛组胰岛素含量为(2.02±0.33)μg/孔,非纯化胰岛组为(1.13±0.27)μg/孔,非纯化胰岛+A1AT组为(1.68±0.17)μg/孔,各组间差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01).纯化胰岛组胰蛋白酶浓度为(1.03±0.25)ng/ml,非纯化胰岛组为(6.92±1.21)ng/ml,非纯化胰岛+A1AT组为(3.23±0.55)ng/ml,各组间差异均有统计学意义(P＜0.01).结论 胰腺外分泌细胞与胰岛同时移植会延迟植入胰岛功能恢复正常的时间,这与腺泡细胞内胰蛋白酶被激活、释放有关;在胰岛、胰腺外分泌细胞共同培养时加入A1AT,可以缓解腺泡细胞分泌的蛋白酶对胰岛的破坏.     

Subcutaneous transplantation may not be an appropriate approach for the islets embedded in the collagen gel scaffolds

Background

Synthetic extracellular matrix (ECM) has been shown to be efficient to preserve the function of transplanted islets. In this study using a mouse model, we sought to determine whether subcutaneous transplantation was a convenient procedure for achieving normoglycemia.

Methods

We performed in vitro tests as well as morphologic observations and Western blotting to establish that embedded islets survived better than non-embedded islets. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice (BALB/c) were transplanted with ECM-embedded syngeneic islets via the subcutaneous (SC; n = 5) or subrenal capsule (SRC; n = 6) routes. We measured mean blood glucose levels at various points from pretransplantation to postoperative day 14, and examined immunohistochemistry staining for insulin in the transplant grafts on day 14.

Results

Islets transplanted with ECM gel retained better structure and developed a functional vasculature. Western blotting showed more caspase-3 expressed in the non-embedded islets, which indicated more islet cells undergoing apoptosis. On the first day after transplantation, glucose levels were significantly decreased in the SRC group compared with the SC group: 383.33 ± 44.50 mg/dL to 80.67 ± 16.85 mg/dL versus 414.00 ± 92.33 mg/dL to 278.28 ± 121.80 mg/dL (P < .05). Glucose levels were better maintained in the SRC group than the SC group over 14 days. Immunohistochemistry staining for insulin showed fewer islets in the SC group.

Conclusion

Embedded islets with ECM gel functioned better than non-embedded ones in vitro. However, the subcutaneous route may not be an ideal site for islet transplantation.     

The immunoprotective effect of Sertoli cells coencapsulated with islet xenografts is not dependent upon Fas ligand expression

Coencapsulation with Sertoli-enriched testicular cell fractions prolongs islet graft survival time compared with islet encapsulation alone in a highly discordant tilapia (fish)-to-mouse xenotransplantation model. Here we investigate whether Fas ligand (Fas-L) expression by testicular Sertoli cells is responsible for this additional protective effect. Sertoli-enriched testicular cell fractions (7 x 10(6) cells) harvested from either Fas-L-defective (group I) or Fas-L-positive (group II) mice were coencapsulated in alginate gel spheres with fish islets and then transplanted into streptozotocin-diabetic Balb/c recipients. Group III mice received encapsulated islets without coencapsulated Sertoli cells. After transplantation, blood glucose levels were monitored three times per week. Mean graft survival times for the three groups were: group I = 35.6 +/- 10.2 days (n = 9), group II = 31.3 +/- 9.4 days (n = 7), and group III = 23.3 +/- 2.2 days (n = 6) (ANOVA, p = 0.043). Coencapsulation, regardless of the Fas-L status of the Sertoli cell donors, modestly prolonged graft survival. There was no significant difference between Fas-L-deficient and Fas-L-positive donors. Our results suggest that Fas/Fas-L interaction is not responsible for the additional protection afforded to encapsulated discordant islet xenografts by coencapsulation with Sertoli cells.     

Long-term survival and function of intraportal porcine and human islet xenografts in nondiabetic nude mice

Instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR) is a serious obstacle to both clinical islet allotransplantation and future islet xenotransplantation via the portal vein. We have previously observed uniform long-term tilapia (fish) islet xenograft survival when islets were transplanted intraportally into nondiabetic nude mice (nDNM), but not in diabetic nude mice (DNM). In this study, we examined whether human islets (HI) and adult porcine islets (API) can tolerate intraportal transplantation into nDNM like tilapia islets. HI and API were transplanted intraportally into nDNM. Recipients were humanely killed either 14 or 28 days after transplantation and livers were processed for histology. Human insulin and human C-peptide were measured in the terminal serum samples of HI recipients. In six of seven HI and seven of seven API recipients, liver histology showed insulin-positive islet xenografts. In recipients with HI, the numbers of islets/ductal structures seen histologically correlated well with serum sample results. These results show that HI and API can survive and function long term after intraportal transplantation into nDNM recipients. Our previous and present data indicated that DNM and nDNM could be useful models to study "glucose toxicity" and the role of IBMIR in the fate of intraportal islet grafts.