Modified Two-Layer Preservation Method (M-Kyoto/PFC) Improves Islet Yields in Islet Isolation

Islet allotransplantation can achieve insulin independence in patients with type I diabetes. Recent reports show that the two-layer method (TLM), which employs oxygenated perfluorochemical (PFC) and UW solution, is superior to simple cold storage in UW for pancreas preservation in islet transplantation. However, UW solution has several disadvantages, including the inhibition of Liberase activity. In this study, we investigated the features of a new solution, designated M-Kyoto solution. M-Kyoto solution contains trehalose and ulinastatin as distinct components. Trehalose has a cytoprotective effect against stress, and ulinastatin inhibits trypsin. In porcine islet isolation, islet yield was significantly higher in the M-Kyoto/PFC group compared with the UW/PFC group. There was no significant difference in ATP content in the pancreas between the two groups, suggesting that different islet yields are not due to their differences as energy sources. Compared with UW solution, M-Kyoto solution significantly inhibited trypsin activity in the digestion step; moreover, M-Kyoto solution inhibited collagenase digestion less than UW solution. In conclusion, the advantages of M-Kyoto solution are trypsin inhibition and less collagenase inhibition. Based on these data, we now use M-Kyoto solution for clinical islet transplantation from nonheart-beating donor pancreata.     

Design of a simple, in vitro method for evaluating the efficiency of crude Clostridium histolyticum collagenase and its components for porcine islet isolation

Abstract: The wide variability of different batches of crude collagenase is one of the major factors influencing the isolation of porcine islets of Langerhans. In order to enable the production of reproducible collagenase batches, however, it is first necessary to determine which of the many components of crude collagenase are required for porcine islet isolation. For this to be done, experiments must control for the inter-pancreatic variation seen with porcine pancreata, and this requires methodology that enables many different crude collagenases or collagenase components to be tested on any one pancreas. The aim of this study was to assess four different in vitro methods for evaluating different batches of crude collagenase. Each of the methods involved placing blocks of either distended or undistended pancreas in centrifuge tubes, adding crude collagenase in various concentrations dissolved in Hanks' and incubating the tubes in a waterbath at 35°C. The remainder of the pancreas was simultaneously processed using the semi-automated method. Every 10 min, samples were taken from both the semi-automated circuit and the relevant centrifuge tubes and assessed for number of cleaved islets, cleavage index, degree of fragmentation and quality of exocrine digestion. A correlation was made between each in vitro method and the "gold standard" semi-automated method. We conclude that it is possible to use an in vitro method to evaluate crude collagenase that correlates well with the digestion occurring in the Ricordi chamber and that enables the testing of many batches or components of crude collagenase on any one porcine pancreas.     

Islet Isolation from the porcine pancreas, using a continuous digestion method

Abstract: This paper describes a method for pig islet isolation with the following original features: first, we set up a reproducible, rapid, sterile, and simple method for pancreas procurement and preparation with double duct incannulation. Second, we demonstrated that UW solution can be used for pancreas digestion; third, we designed an original method for pancreas digestion, derived from the method originally described by Ricordi, except that a double digestion circuit made it possible to digest continuously, within one step, the pancreas, which makes the method operator-independent; finally we designed a simple method for islet purification based on a two-layer Histopaque/ UW density gradient and the use of the COBE 2991 cell processor.     

胰岛分离、纯化制备的改进

目的 探讨大型哺乳动物胰岛机械化大量分离、纯化的方法,为人类胰岛移植物的大量制备摸索创造条件.方法 应用改进的机械化胰岛分离、纯化系统,用HCA和UW液顺序原位灌洗犬胰腺,主副胰管插管,4℃胶原酶-V(1.5 g/L)+胰酶抑制剂pefabloc(0.4 mmol/L)灌注后,Ricordi-Chamber消化罐消化,4℃COBE2991连续密度梯度离心纯化,测定胰岛当量(IEQ)、胰岛纯度及存活率、胰岛素及C-肽的释放量、培养24 h后光镜及电镜观察.结果 胰腺消化时间为(25.0±6.0)min,胰岛外分泌腺包裹率为(9.4±2.4)%,消化后胰岛收获量为(17.2±3.6)×104IEQ/每个胰腺,纯化后胰岛收获量为(8.3±2.0)×104IEQ/每个胰腺,胰岛纯度为(89.7±3.5)%.纯化胰岛体外低糖与高糖刺激下胰岛索分泌量及C-肽的释放量良好,培养24 h后形态结构及功能正常.结论 本实验室改进的胰岛机械分离方法及各设备运行可靠,获得的胰岛形态功能良好,可望用于临床人类胰岛的大量制备.     

Influence of pancreas preservation on human islet isolation outcomes: impact of the two-layer method

BACKGROUND: Human pancreas preservation for islet transplantation holds additional challenges and considerations compared with whole pancreas transplantation. The purpose of this study was to clarify the limitations of the University of Wisconsin (UW) solution and the potentials of the two-layer method (TLM) for pancreas preservation before human islet isolation. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated human islet isolation records between January 2001 and February 2003. One hundred forty-two human pancreata were procured from cadaveric donors and preserved by means of the UW solution (n=112) or TLM (n=30). Human islet isolations were performed using a standard protocol and assessed by islet recovery and in vitro function of islets. RESULTS: Eight to ten hours of cold ischemia in the UW solution is a critical point for successful islet isolations. It is difficult to recover a sufficient number of viable islets for transplantation from human pancreata with more than 10 hours of cold storage in the UW solution. The overall islet recovery in the TLM group was significantly higher than in the UW group. With 10 to 16 hours of cold storage, the success rates of islet isolations remained at 62% in the TLM group but decreased to 22% in the UW group. Transplanted islets in the TLM group worked well in the recipients. CONCLUSIONS: There are time limitations for using the UW solution for pancreas preservation before human islet isolation. The TLM is a potential method to prolong the optimal cold storage time for successful islet isolations.     

Improvement of porcine islet isolation by inhibition of trypsin activity during pancreas preservation and digestion using α1-antitrypsin

Porcine islets are considered to be a promising resource for xenotransplantation. However, it is difficult to isolate porcine islets because of the marked fragility and rapid dissociation. Endogenous trypsin is one of the main factors to damage islets during the isolation procedure. Recent studies have suggested that trypsin inhibitors during the preservation of pancreas or the collagenase digestion can improve the result of islet isolation. In this study, we examined whether α1-antitrypsin (Aralast?), which inhibits several endogenous proteases and has immunomodulatory properties, can protect islets from the proteases and improve the results of porcine islet isolation. Twelve porcine pancreata were divided into three groups: without Aralast group (standard, n = 5), preserved with Aralast using the ductal injection (DI) method (DI, n = 3), and with Aralast using the DI method and in the collagenase solution (DI+C, n = 4). Efficacy of islet isolation was assessed by islet yields, purity, and viability. The trypsin activity of the preservation and the digestion solution during the isolation procedure was measured. During islet isolation, the trypsin activity in DI+C group was significantly inhibited compared to the standard group, whereas DI group showed less effect than DI+C group. The average of postpurification islet equivalents (IEQ) per pancreas weight in the DI+C group was significantly higher than the standard group (standard: 3516 ± 497 IEQ/g, DI: 4607 ± 1090 IEQ/g, DI+C: 7097 ± 995 IEQ/g; p = 0.017 between standard and DI+C). In the DI+C group, stimulation index was higher than in other groups, although there was no significant difference. The presence of Aralast in both DI solution and collagenase solution markedly inhibited trypsin activity during pancreas digestion procedure and improved the porcine islet isolation. Inhibition of trypsin activity by Aralast could improve porcine islet isolation.     

Comparison of M-Kyoto solution and histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate solution with a trypsin inhibitor for pancreas preservation in islet transplantation

The use of University of Wisconsin (UW) preservation solution in islet transplantation has some disadvantages, including inhibition of collagenase activity for pancreatic digestion. Histidine-tryptophan-ketoglutarate (HTK) solution has demonstrated an efficacy similar to UW solution for organ preservation in clinical pancreas transplantation. Recently, we reported that islet yield from porcine pancreata was significantly gtreater when they were preserved using M-Kyoto solution compared with UW solution. Here, we compared HTK solution with ulinastatin (M-HTK) and M-Kyoto solution for islet yield. In porcine islet isolation, islet yield after purification was significantly greater in the M-Kyoto/perfluorochemical (PFC) group compared with the M-HTK/PFC group. The M-Kyoto/PFC group had a significantly lower ADP/ATP ratio compared with the M-HTK/PFC group, suggesting that different islet yields might be due to the differences as energy sources of the solutions used. In conclusion, M-Kyoto/PFC solution is better for pancreas preservation before islet isolation than M-HTK/PFC solution.     

Isolation of Viable Porcine Islets by Selective Osmotic Shock Without Enzymatic Digestion

Islet transplantation is a potential cure for type 1 diabetes, but clinical results have been disappointing. Currently, islet isolation is by enzymatic digestion of the pancreas which has significant pitfalls: warm ischemia exposure, collagenase-induced damage to the islet mass and viability, poor reproducibility, high cost, a relatively low number of islets obtained per whole pancreas, and selection of islets for collagenase resistance rather than for glucose responsiveness. In the present study we performed a series of experiments in a porcine model to demonstrate the feasibility of a new isolation method based on selective osmotic shock (SOS) using very high glucose solutions, doubling or tripling physiological osmotic strength. The SOS method can be carried out at room temperature or in the cold eliminating warm ischemia time which damages the islets. The SOS method does not depend on the texture of the pancreas so all pancreases can be processed identically and the process can be fully automated. The SOS method isolates all the islets of the pancreas regardless of size and shape allowing a greater number of islets to be harvested. The SOS method avoids exposure to toxins in collagenase solutions, is inexpensive and selects for islets with high concentrations of Glut 2 transporters, representing the best glucose responding islets. The SOS method showed a comparable recovery of islets from young pig pancreas and the islets showed improved viability. We conclude that the selective osmotic shock (SOS) method of separating islets from the pancreatic tissue is superior to the collagenase method.     

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.     

Parameters favouring successful adult pig islet isolations for xenotransplantation in pig-to-primate models

Dufrane D, D'hoore W, Goebbels R‐M, Saliez A, Guiot Y, Gianello P. Parameters favouring successful adult pig islet isolations for xenotransplantation in pig‐to‐primate models.
Xenotransplantation 2006; 13: 204–214. © Blackwell Munksgaard, 2006 Abstract: Background: In the near future, adult porcine islets of Langerhans appear as an unlimited source of insulin‐producing cells which could play a major role for treating diabetes mellitus. There is, however, an obvious lack of pre‐clinical results and data in the pig‐to‐primate model. One of the main hurdles of this model is certainly related to the difficulty of reproducing regularly successful porcine islet isolation. This experimental work was designed to provide guidelines applicable in pig pancreas procurement and islet isolation for successful islet xenotransplantation into primates. Methods: Pancreases were harvested from adult Belgium Landrace pigs (n = 79) in a single centre. The impact on islet yield of (1) pancreas procurement (blood exsanguination and warm ischaemia time (WIT)), (2) cold storage solutions (classic UW and modified UW (without hydroxyethyl starch and inverse K⁺/Na⁺ concentration)), (3) a dynamic or static method of pancreas digestion, and (4) the endotoxin content and enzymatic activity from five different batches of Liberase PI was studied. In addition, pancreatic biopsies (n = 18), performed before isolation, were retrospectively analyzed to study the impact of histomorphometry on porcine islet yield. Finally, two diabetic cynomolgus monkeys were transplanted without immunosuppression with 15 000 pig islet equivalents/kg body weight of recipient to assess in vivo the function of freshly isolated islets. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results: By multiple linear regression, the most significant variables that significantly improved islet yield were, firstly, the presence of <30 EU (endotoxin units) of endotoxin in Liberase batches, followed by a WIT under 10 min and the use of blood exsanguination before pancreas harvesting (P<0.005). In contrast, isolation method (dynamic vs. static) and the solution used for storage (short‐term) (UW vs. modified UW) did not significantly influence islet yield. The correlation of retrospective histomorphometry analysis of native pancreas and extemporaneous biopsy before isolation clearly determined a positive relationship between isolated islet number and the number of islets/cm² (r = 0.708, P<0.01) or with the percentage of large islets (r = 0.680, P<0.01) found in pancreas biopsies. Pig pancreases containing more than 82 islets/cm² and more than 42% of large islets (>100 μm) thus enabled more than 120 000 islet equivalents to be obtained in 90% of the cases, which is an ideal amount of islets to transplant into a primate of 4 to 5 kg. In vivo, a reduction of blood glucose (<200 mg/dl), associated with porcine C‐peptide production, was observed in two primates after transplantation with adult pig islets. At day 7 post‐transplantation, however, loss of islet function was associated with graft destruction and immune reaction. Conclusions: Morphological screening of the pig pancreas before isolation, optimal blood exsanguination, WIT <10 min, and an endotoxin content <30 EU/mg in Liberase PI batches determine successful pig islet isolation for xenotransplantation in primates.     

A model to evaluate toxic factors influencing islets during collagenase digestion: the role of serine protease inhibitor in the protection of islets

The recovery of all of the islets contained in a pancreas is the goal of islet isolation for transplantation. This study reveals an environment that injures the isolated islets during digestion and proposes a new model for optimal islet isolation. Islets were isolated from Wistar rat pancreases by stationary collagenase digestion while the digestion time was varied at 15, 30, 60, and 120 min. The digested pancreas and islets were analyzed histologically and adenosine nucleotides were measured. Overnight cultured islets (40 islets) were cocultured for 30 min with the supernatants obtained from pancreatic collagenase digestion at different digestion periods in order to assess the toxic environment. The peak yields of islets were obtained at 30 min of digestion. The histological study of digested pancreas showed that the exocrine cells lost their cellular integrity at 120 min of digestion, but the islet cells were left intact. Accordingly, the ATP levels of the pancreatic tissue decreased during the digestion period. The coculture experiment demonstrated that the islets cultured with the supernatants from the collagenase digestion showed digestion time-dependent disruption of the cellular integrity of islets in accordance with a rapid decrease of ATP levels in the islets. The addition of serine protease inhibitors into this coculture clearly showed protection of islets, which maintained high ATP levels in association with intact membrane integrity as assessed by AO/PI staining. Morphological deterioration of islets as well as a marked ATP decrease was evident in the entire digested pancreas as well as in islets cocultured in the supernatants from the collagenase digestion. Various factors toxic to the islets can therefore be analyzed in future experiments using this coculture model for obtaining a good yield of viable islets.     

Analysis on donor and isolation-related factors of successful isolation of human islet of Langerhans from human cadaveric donors

We analyzed the preexisting donor factors and isolation variables that affected isolation of human islets of Langerhans. Sixty-nine pancreata from cadaveric donors were analyzed for donor factors of age, gender, body mass index, cause of death as well as graft factors of cold ischemia time, pancreas status, distensibility during intraductal collagenase distension and time of collagenase expansion and digestion. Islet isolations that recovered >100,000 IEQ (n = 53) were compared to those generating less than 100,000 IEQ (n = 16) to analyze the factors affecting islet yield during donor harvest and isolation procedures. The mean islet recovery was 216.0 x 10(3) (IEQ) or 2840 (IEQ) per gram of pancreas. Mean purity was 54%. The success rate of islet isolation was 76%. Mean age was 31 years, and mean cold ischemia time was 6.9 hours. In univariate analysis, the status of the pancreas was the only significant factor for successful isolation, and gender, time of collagenase expansion and digestion were marginal factors. In stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis of donor and isolation-related factors, donor gender, pancreas status and digestion time were significant factors. During the same period we performed three cases of clinical islet allotransplantation and one autotransplantation. This study confirmed that the same donor factors and variables in the isolation process can affect the ability to obtain successful human islet isolation. Enough experience and pertinent review of donor and isolation factors can make islet isolation consistent, supporting clinical islet transplantation without unnecessary cost.     

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。     

Efficacy of the oxygen-charged static two-layer method for short-term pancreas preservation and islet isolation from nonhuman primate and human pancreata

Previous reports indicate that the two-layer method (TLM) of human pancreas preservation is superior to University of Wisconsin solution (UW) when pancreata are preserved for extended periods (i.e., >24 h) prior to islet isolation. In this study, the efficacy of using the TLM for preserving pancreata for short periods (i.e., <13 h) was evaluated using both nonhuman primate and human pancreata preserved with a TLM kit precharged with oxygen. An oxygen precharged TLM (static TLM) was established and compared with the original TLM with continuous oxygen supply. For the static TLM, the perfluorochemical was fully oxygenated and the oxygen supply removed prior to pancreas preservation. In the primate model, pancreata were preserved by the static TLM, the original TLM, and UW for 5 h prior to islet isolation. In the human model, pancreata were preserved with the static TLM or the original TLM or UW for 4-13 h. Both primate and human pancreata were processed by intraductal collagenase injection and digestion followed by continuous density gradient purification to isolate islets. Islets were assessed for islet yield, purity, viability, and in vitro functionality. In the primate model, islet yield, viability, and in vitro functionality were significantly improved by both the static TLM and the original TLM with similar results. Postculture islet yields were 23,877 +/- 3619 IE/g in the static TLM, 21,895 +/- 3742 IE/g in the original TLM, and 6773 +/- 735 IE/g in UW. In the human model, both the static TLM and the original TLM significantly increased islet yield compared with UW with postculture islet yields of 2659 +/- 549 IE/g in the static TLM, 2244 +/- 557 IE/g in the original TLM, and 1293 +/- 451 IE/g in UW. Nonhuman primate and human pancreata stored in the static TLM, immediately upon procurement, yield isolated islets of a substantially higher quantity than when pancreata are stored in UW. Thus, the use of the static TLM should replace the use of UW for storage of pancreata during transport prior to islet isolation.     

Preservation of pancreas in the University of Wisconsin solution supplemented with AP39 reduces reactive oxygen species production and improves islet graft function

Ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) results in increased rates of delayed graft function and early graft loss. It has recently been reported that hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) protects organ grafts against prolonged IRI. Here, we investigated whether the preservation of pancreas in University of Wisconsin (UW) solution supplemented with AP39, which is a mitochondrial-targeted H₂S donor, protected pancreatic islets against IRI and improved islet function. Porcine pancreata were preserved in the UW solution with AP39 (UW + AP39) or the vehicle (UW) for 18 h, followed by islet isolation. The islet yields before and after purification were significantly higher in the UW + AP39 group than in the UW group. The islets isolated from the pancreas preserved in UW + AP39 exhibited significantly decreased levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and a significantly increased mitochondrial membrane potential as compared to the islets isolated from the pancreas preserved in the vehicle. We found that the pancreas preserved in UW + AP39 improved the outcome of islet transplantation in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. These results suggest that the preservation of pancreas in UW + AP39 protects the islet grafts against IRI and could thus serve as a novel clinical strategy for improving islet transplantation outcomes.     

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.     

Comparison of automated and manual methods for islet isolation

The authors used the principal features of a collagenase perfusion technique and an automated dissociation technique to determine if islets could be isolated from the large mammal pancreas and to compare the effects of the two methods on isolated islets. The pancreases of 16 dogs were cannulated and perfused with collagenase at 4 degrees C, then warmed to 37 degrees C. Group 1 (eight) pancreases were perfused at 37 degrees C until digested, then dissociated manually by teasing and trituration. Group 2 (eight) pancreases were transferred to a closed chamber for continued collagenase digestion and dissociation at 37 degrees C. Islets were purified using identical Ficoll gradients. Aliquots were stained with dithizone and evaluated for number, size and purity. Total islet volume was calculated. Group 2 pancreases were thoroughly digested leaving only a few residual ducts, but undigested fragments persisted in group 1 pancreases. Islet size was similar in both groups. There was a greater islet volume before and after Ficoll purification in group 2, but the difference was not significant. Purity was greater than 90% in both groups. Perifusion with 28 mM glucose elicited a biphasic insulin release from islets in both groups. The data show that the combined protocol enables mass isolation of purified islets from the canine pancreas. Compared with the manual technique, the automated protocol for pancreas dissociation tends to improve the yield of islets without compromising islet size and viability. It provides the advantages of a closed system with increased control over the extent of collagenase digestion.     

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.     

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.     

Factors influencing the collagenase digestion phase of human islet isolation

Substantial advances in human islet isolation technology have occurred during the past decade. However, it is still difficult to recover the entire quantity of islets contained in a pancreas. A major obstacle to successful human islet isolation has been the variability of the collagenase digestion phase of islet isolation. Future advances in enzyme technology will make it possible to optimally liberate islets with enzyme blends "tailor-made" for each individual donor pancreas. Such innovative strategies will be advantageous in improving islet isolation efficiency, recovery, viability, and ultimately posttransplant function.