Effects of glass ionomers and dental resin composites on viability of beta-cells and insulin release in isolated islets of Langerhans

Information on the biocompatibility of glass ionomers and resin composites is sparse. To extend the scale of biological testing we evaluated the influence of those materials on insulin secretion at whole organ level in vitro. The effects on insulin secretion of three glass ionomers and two resin composites, aged for 1 week, were studied in isolated mouse islets of Langerhans at basal (5.5mM) and at stimulatory (11.1mM) D-glucose concentrations. In addition, viability of single mouse beta-cells was evaluated. The effect of glass ionomer specimens aged for 1 and 4 months on insulin secretion at 11.1mM D-glucose was also studied. None of the materials affected the viability of the beta-cells. At 5.5mM D-glucose none of the materials affected the insulin secretion. At 11.1mM D-glucose, the glass ionomers only decreased the secretion and glass ionomers aged for 1 month still decreased insulin release whereas after 4 months ageing only one of the glass ionomers affected the release. The result shows a dynamic effect on insulin release of the elements and/or compounds released from the specimens.     

Interleukin 6 is a differentiation factor for human megakaryocytes in vitro

The response of cells of the megakaryocytic lineage to interleukin 6 (IL6), a cytokine with multiple biological activities, was studied by adding the factor to human bone marrow (BM) cultures. IL6 alone had no effect on megakaryocytic colony formation in methylcellulose; however, in the presence of maximally stimulating concentrations of IL 3, almost a twofold increment in colony formation was observed. Tritiated thymidine suicide studies of BM incubated for 2 h with growth factors showed that almost one-half of megakaryocytic progenitors (CFU-Mk) preincubated with IL3 or IL3 plus IL6 were in S phase, whereas BM incubated with IL6 alone was similar to control (approximately 24% of CFU-Mk in S phase). When greater than or equal to 1 ng/ml of IL6 was added to liquid suspension cultures of BM, the size of individual megakaryocytes was significantly augmented compared with that seen in control cultures. Moreover, the DNA content of megakaryocytes grown in the presence of IL6 was increased (modal ploidy 16N) compared with cultures grown with IL3 (modal ploidy 8N). To determine if the effect of IL6 could be direct rather than mediated via accessory BM cells, the factor was added to cultures of isolated single megakaryocytes. Seventy-one percent of cells increased in diameter in the presence of IL6, while only 27% increased in size in the absence of the factor. The data show that IL6 is a direct maturation factor for human megakaryocytes, promoting increments in size and ploidy of these cells.     

A new method for incorporating functional heparin onto the surface of islets of Langerhans

A novel technique is described to conjugate macromolecular heparin complexes to cell surfaces. The method is based on the dual properties of avidin-expressing binding sites for both biotin and a macromolecular complex of heparin. A quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation monitoring (QCM-D) revealed sequential binding of biotin, avidin, and heparin complexes. Large particle flow cytometry confirmed functional integrity. Confocal microscopy of the heparinized islets showed evenly distributed fluorescence. An in vitro Chandler loop model demonstrated that the biocompatibility of the new method is comparable to the previous method used on artificial materials with regard to coagulation and antithrombin uptake. The technique presented allows human islets of Langerhans to successfully be covered with functional heparin as a means to reduce instant blood-mediated inflammatory reactions induced by the innate immune system.     

Diffusion properties of an artificial membrane used for Langerhans islets encapsulation: an in vitro test.

Glucose and insulin permeability of an artificial membrane (AN69, HOSPAL, Sweden) used for Langerhans islets encapsulation were investigated. In vivo, a 1 and 7 d intraperitoneal implantation of the AN69 membrane in rats induced a loss of permeability towards glucose and insulin probably due to a protein-coating performed after implantation. In vitro, a protein-coating of the AN69 membrane with fetal calf serum solution reproduced similar results. Thus this in vitro test which mimicks in vivo conditions should be proposed to evaluate rapidly the physicochemical properties of a membrane suitable for pancreatic islets encapsulation.     

Insulin release from islets of Langerhans entrapped in a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) polymer gel

A copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide (98 mol% in feed) and acrylic acid, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (P(NIPAAm-co-AAc)), was prepared by free radical polymerization for development of a thermally reversible polymer to entrap islets of Langerhans for a refillable biohybrid artificial pancreas. A 5 wt% solution of the polymer in Hanks' balanced salt solution forms a gel at 37 degrees C that exhibits no syneresis. Diffusion of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) dextrans having molecular weights of 4400 and 70000 were used to evaluate mass transport in the gel at 37 degrees C. Insulin secretion from islets in the polymer gel was also investigated in both static and dynamic systems. The polymer gel exhibited excellent diffusion of FITC dextran 4400 and FITC dextran 70000 with diffusion ratios, D/D0 (ratio of diffusion in the gel to diffusion in water), of 0.20+/-0.04 and 0.35+/-0.17, respectively. Human islets entrapped in the polymer gel showed prolonged insulin secretion in response to basal (5.5 mM) glucose concentration compared to free human islets. Rat islets showed prolonged insulin secretion in response to high (16.5 mM) glucose concentrations compared to free rat islets. Rat islets in the polymer gel maintained insulin secretion in response to the higher glucose concentration for over 26 days. Rat islets entrapped by the polymer also released higher quantities of insulin more rapidly in response to changes in concentrations of glucose and other stimulants than rat islets entrapped in an alginate control. These results suggest that this material would provide adequate diffusion for rapid insulin release in an application as a synthetic extracellular matrix for a biohybrid artificial pancreas.     

Insulin release from islets of Langerhans entrapped in a poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) polymer gel

Abstraet-A copolymer of N-isopropylacrylamide (98 mol% in feed) and acrylic acid, poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-co-acrylic acid) (P(NIPAAm-co-AAc)), was prepared by free radical polymerization for development of a thermally reversible polymer to entrap islets of Langerhans for a refillable biohybrid artificial pancreas. A 5 wt% solution of the polymer in Hanks' balanced salt solution forms a gel at 37°C that exhibits no syneresis. Diffusion of fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) dextrans having molecular weights of 4400 and 70000 were used to evaluate mass transport in the gel at 37°C. Insulin secretion from islets in the polymer gel was also investigated in both static and dynamic systems. The polymer gel exhibited excellent diffusion of FITC dextran 4400 and FITC dextran 70 000 with diffusion ratios, D/D₀ (ratio of diffusion in the gel to diffusion in water), of 0.20 ± 0.04 and 0.35±0.17, respectively. Human islets entrapped in the polymer gel showed prolonged insulin secretion in response to basal (5.5 mM) glucose concentration compared to free human islets. Rat islets showed prolonged insulin secretion in response to high (16.5 mM) glucose concentrations compared to free rat islets. Rat islets in the polymer gel maintained insulin secretion in response to the higher glucose concentration for over 26 days. Rat islets entrapped by the polymer also released higher quantities of insulin more rapidly in response to changes in concentrations of glucose and other stimulants than rat islets entrapped in an alginate control. These results suggest that this material would provide adequate diffusion for rapid insulin release in an application as a synthetic extracellular matrix for a biohybrid artificial pancreas.     

Quantitative assessment of islets of Langerhans encapsulated in alginate

Improved methods have recently been developed for assessing islet viability and quantity in human islet preparations for transplantation, and these measurements have proven useful for predicting transplantation outcome. The objectives of this study were to adapt these methods for use with microencapsulated islets, to verify that they provide meaningful quantitative measurements, and to test them with two model systems: (1) barium alginate and (2) barium alginate containing a 70% (w/v) perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsion, which presents challenges to use of these assays and is of interest in its own right as a means for reducing oxygen supply limitations to encapsulated tissue. Mitochondrial function was assessed by oxygen consumption rate measurements, and the analysis of data was modified to account for the increased solubility of oxygen in the PFC-alginate capsules. Capsules were dissolved and tissue recovered for nuclei counting to measure the number of cells. Capsule volume was determined from alginate or PFC content and used to normalize measurements. After low oxygen culture for 2 days, islets in normal alginate lost substantial viable tissue and displayed necrotic cores, whereas most of the original oxygen consumption rate was recovered with PFC alginate, and little necrosis was observed. All nuclei were recovered with normal alginate, but some nuclei from nonrespiring cells were lost with PFC alginate. Biocompatibility tests revealed toxicity at the islet periphery associated with the lipid emulsion used to provide surfactants during the emulsification process. We conclude that these new assay methods can be applied to islets encapsulated in materials as complex as PFC-alginate. Measurements made with these materials revealed that enhancement of oxygen permeability of the encapsulating material with a concentrated PFC emulsion improves survival of encapsulated islets under hypoxic conditions, but reformulation of the PFC emulsion is needed to reduce toxicity.     

Fine structure of islets of Langerhans in insular amyloidosis

Summary The islets of Langerhans of diabetic and non-diabetic patients with different degrees of islet amyloidosis were studied by electron microscopy. The islet amyloid exhibited the typical fine fibrillar ultrastructure and was mainly located interstitially. Adjacent to the cells the amyloid fibrils were often highly orientated perpendicularly to the cell surface and bundles of amyloid fibrils entered in deep plasmalemmal invaginations of the cells. This was more rarely seen in other types of cell. The epithelial cells exhibited no signs of increased activity. Macrophages were common in the amyloid masses. Amyloid occurred in invaginations of these cells but usually the fibrils showed no orientation. The capillaries, the fibrocytes and the mast cells were not so closely related to the amyloid. These findings probably indicate that the amyloid of the islets of Langerhans is a product of degenerating cells even if other possibilities are not excluded.

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Zusammenfassung Die Ultrastruktur der Langerhansschen Inseln bei der Inselamyloidose.Die Langerhansschen Inseln diabetischer und nicht-diabetischer Patienten mit verschiedenen Schweregraden einer Inselamyloidose wurden elektronenmikroskopisch untersucht. Das Inselamyloid zeigte eine typische feinfibrilläre Ultrastruktur und war vorwiegend interstitiell lokalisiert. In der Nachbarschaft der -Zellen waren die Amyloidfibrillen oft senkrecht zur Zelloberfläche orientiert, wobei Bündel von Amyloidifibrillen in tiefe Invaginationen der Zellgrenzmembran hineinragten. Diese Beobachtung fand sich selten bei den anderen Inselzelltypen. Die Epithelzellen zeigten keine Hinweise auf eine gesteigerte Aktivität. Im Bereich der Amyloidmassen fanden sich in der Regel Makrophagen. Das Amyloid war in den Invaginationen dieser Zellen erkennbar, allerdings gewöhnlich nicht in paralleler Orientierung. Capillaren, Fibrocyten und Mastzellen waren dem Amyloid weniger dicht benachbart. Aus den Befunden wird der Schluß gezogen, daß das Amyloid der Langerhansschen Inseln ein Produkt degenerierender -Zellen darstellt. Andere Möglichkeiten der Entstehung lassen sich allerdings nicht ausschließen.

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Supported by the Swedish Medical Research Council (project No. B73-12X-102-09B, the Research Fund of the Swedish Diabetes Association, the Swedish Society for Medical Research and the Medical Faculty of Uppsala. Thanks are due to Ann-Charlotte Hallner, Lena Rönning and Anders Strand for their skilled technical assistance.     

Anatomy of the pancreas and Langerhans islets in snakes and lizards

The pancreas of snakes (18 species) was comparatively examined and classified into five major types, based on structure of the lobes and ducts, spatial relationships with the spleen and the gall bladder, and the disposition of islet cells. These types trend toward fusion of the pancreatic lobes and compaction of the pancreas--a progression that coincides with the phylogeny of the snakes. The more primitive pancreas of lizards (17 species) also was surveyed; that of Varanus is of special interest because its structure is intermediate between the extended, tri-lobate pancreas of lizards and the compact pancreas of snakes and may represent a transitional link in the evolution of this organ. Islet tissue is always confined to the dorsal lobe and is concentrated in its distal region adjacent to the spleen. In primitive snakes and in Varanus, a large islet mass is sequestered within a distinct juxtasplenic "islet body" distanced from the dorsal lobe and connected to it by a slender stalk. In some of the most advanced snake species, numerous islets of endocrine cells are found within the spleen. The occurrence and formation of these intrasplenic islets is described in detail. The anatomic "affinity" between spleen and the islet region of the pancreas is discussed. A hypothesis for the development of the pancreas from embryonal placodes on the mid-gut is presented; it proposes that the exocrine and the endocrine components derive from different progenitor cells, and that the endocrine progenitors are located in the center of the dorsal placode. The hypothesis combines embryological and evolutionary views about the origin of the pancreas, and offers a rationale for differences in its structure and in the disposition of the islets.     

Advances in pathology of diabetes from pancreatic islets to neuropathy—a tribute to Paul Langerhans

There emerges a world epidemic of diabetes, afflicting over 3.8 billion people globally. The socio‐economic burden of this disorder is tremendous and there is an urgent need to solve the problems incurred from this disorder and to establish an efficient way of prevention and treatment. Fundamental pathology of diabetes has been too diverse to reach a simple etiology and the mechanisms of how the lesions specific to diabetes develop are yet to be clear. Nevertheless, there has been slow but significant advancement in the understanding of the disease based on characterization of the salient features of pathological lesions in human diabetic subjects. Progressive decline of islet β cells associated with increased α cell volume density was found to account for clinical manifestation of hypoinsulinemia and hyperglucagonemia in type 2 diabetes. Concurrently, signs of complications represented by distal nerve fiber loss in the skin commences from the beginning of this disease. Thus the pathological studies disclosed the major attributes in this disorder targeting the islet of pancreas and epidermal nerve, both of which were discovered by Paul Langerhans more than 140 years ago. In this review, I attempt to summarize the progress in pathology of diabetes which Langerhans opened this field.     

Interleukin 10 Release During Endotoxaemia in Chimpanzees: Role of Platelet-Activating Factor and Interleukin 6

Interleukin (IL-)10 has been demonstrated to inhibit endotoxin-induced production of a number of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The present study sought to compare the appearances in the circulation of IL-10, IL-6 and IL-8, and to assess the roles ofendogenously produced platelet-activating factor (PAF) and IL-6 in IL-10 release during endotoxaemia in chimpanzees. Intravenous injection of endotoxin (lot EC-5, 4 ng/kg, n  = 8) induced a transient rise in serum IL-10concentrations, peaking after 2 h (213 ± 70 pg/ml; P  < 0.05). No correlations existed between peak IL-10 levels, and peak IL-6 and IL-8 levels. Neither infusion of the specific PAF antagonist TCV-309( n  = 4), nor infusion of a neutralizing anti-IL-6 monoclonal antibody ( n  = 4) influenced endotoxin-induced IL-10 release. IL-10 release elicited by injection of endotoxin is not mediated by PAF or IL6. Tom van der Poll MD, Academic Medical Center, Department of Internal Medicine, F4222, Meibergdreef 9, 1105 AZ Amsterdam, the Netherlands     

The microanatomy of canine islets of Langerhans: implications for intra-islet regulation

Summary In recent years models for the internal (intra-islet) regulation of hormone secretion have been proposed to explain how different islet cells might regulate each other by means of their respective secretory peptides. Models that emphasize the importance of a directed intra-islet blood flow and sequence of perfusion of islet cells rely on a certain type of islet microanatomy and vascular supply. The experimental studies underlying these models have partly been performed in dogs. To extend the incomplete morphological knowledge of the canine endocrine pancreas both canine islets of Langerhans and extrainsular cells have been analysed in immunostained serial semithin (0.5 m) sections. In addition to their occurrence within islets of Langerhans, all endocrine cell types are also found at extrainsular sites (about 9% of all endocrine cells) where they are distributed in different quantities among the epithelial lining of exocrine acini or excretory ducts and the connective tissue. There are continuous transitions from single extrainsular cells to small mono-and polycellular cell groups to islets. In a comprehensive analysis of whole islets, including computer-assisted three-dimensional reconstructions, the size, shape and vascularization of the islets as well as their cellular composition and the microtopology of islet cells have been studied. We have found marked intra-and inter-islet heterogeneities of the parameters investigated that are not compatible with concepts of a uniform and directed vascular perfusion of the various islet cell populations. Instead, their paracrine regulation may occur primarily via hormonal secretion into the intercellular spaces or vascular hormonal delivery to adjacent cells.