Favorable outcome of experimental islet xenotransplantation without immunosuppression in a nonhuman primate model of diabetes.

Transplantation of pancreatic islets for treating type 1 diabetes is restricted to patients with critical metabolic lability resulting from the need for immunosuppression and the shortage of donor organs. To overcome these barriers, we developed a strategy to macroencapsulate islets from different sources that allow their survival and function without immunosuppression. Here we report successful and safe transplantation of porcine islets with a bioartificial pancreas device in diabetic primates without any immune suppression. This strategy should lead to pioneering clinical trials with xenotransplantation for treatment of diabetes and, thereby, represents a previously unidentified approach to efficient cell replacement for a broad spectrum of endocrine disorders and other organ dysfunctions.

Production of high-quality islets from goettingen minipigs: Choice of organ preservation solution, donor pool, and optimal cold ischemia time.

BACKGROUND: The transplantation of porcine islets into man might soon become reality for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Therefore, porcine islets of high quality and quantity, and a scalable isolation process with strict quality control will be an unconditional prerequisite to enable the best possible transplantation graft. In this study, we provide a comparative study evaluating islet isolation outcome and in vitro survival based upon donor age, organ preservation solution (OPS), and cold ischemia time (CIT). METHODS: Goettingen minipigs of younger age (1 year) and retired breeder animals (3.5 years) were studied. Pancreata were harvested according to the standards of human organ retrieval including in situ cold perfusion with either Custodiol® -HTK or Belzer® UW solution. Pancreatic tissue was characterized by quantification of apoptotic cells. Islet isolations were performed according to a modified Ricordi method, and isolation outcome was assessed by determining islet particle numbers (IP), islet equivalents (IEQ), and isolation factor (IF). Isolated islets were cultured for 24 and 48 h for the assessment of in vitro survival. RESULTS: Islet viability was significantly higher in Custodiol® -HTK preserved pancreas organs compared to Belzer® UW. Furthermore, organs harvested from retired breeder preserved in Custodiol® -HTK resulted in stable islet isolation yields even after prolonged CIT and showed superior survival rates of islets in vitro compared to the Belzer® UW group. Younger porcine donor organs resulted generally in lower islet yield and survival rates. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, Custodiol® -HTK solution should be preferred over Belzer® UW solution for the preservation of pancreata from porcine origin. Custodiol® -HTK allows for maintaining islet viability and promotes reproducible isolation outcome and survival even after longer CIT. The usage of retired breeder animals over young animals for islet isolation is highly advisable to yield high quality and quantity.

Diabetes induction by total pancreatectomy in minipigs with simultaneous splenectomy: a feasible approach for advanced diabetes research.

BACKGROUND: Safe and reliable diabetes models are a key prerequisite for advanced preclinical studies on diabetes. Chemical induction is the standard model of diabetes in rodents and also widely used in large animal models of non-human primates and minipigs. However, uncertain efficacy, the potential of beta-cell regeneration, and relevant side effects are debatable aspects particularly in large animals. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate a surgical approach of total pancreatectomy combined with splenectomy for diabetes induction in an exploratory study in Goettingen minipigs. METHODS: Total pancreatectomy was performed in Goettingen minipigs (n = 4) under general anesthesia and endotracheal intubation. Prior to surgery, a central venous line was established for drug application and blood sampling. After median laparotomy, splenectomy was performed and the lobular pancreas was carefully dissected with particular attention to the duodenal vascular arcade. Close monitoring of blood glucose was initiated immediately after surgery by standard glucometer measurement or continuous glucose monitoring systems (CGMS). Exogenous insulin was given by multiple daily subcutaneous (s.c.) injections or via insulin pump systems (CSII). Complete endogenous insulin deficiency was confirmed by intravenous glucose tolerance test (ivGTT) and measurement of c-peptide. For establishing a suitable regimen for diabetes management, the animals were followed for 4-6 weeks. RESULTS: Following pancreatectomy and splenectomy, the animals showed a quick recovery from surgery and initial analgetic medication and volume substitution could be terminated within 24 h. A rapid increase in blood glucose was observed immediately following pancreatectomy necessitating insulin therapy. The induced exocrine insufficiency did not cause any clinical symptoms. Complete insulin deficiency could be confirmed in all animals by determination of negative c-peptide during glucose challenge. The two regimen of insulin treatment (multiple daily injections (MDI) and continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII)) were both feasible with respect to acceptable glycemic control whereas CSII was considerably advantageous in comfort and popularity for both animals and care takers. CONCLUSIONS: Surgical pancreatectomy in combination with splenectomy to facilitate access to the pancreas is a feasible model for efficient diabetes induction in minipigs. The procedure itself and postoperative animal care could be performed without complications in this exploratory study. Nevertheless, this approach requires well-equipped infrastructure, experienced and skilled surgeons and anesthesiologists and dedicated animal care takers. The impact of total pancreatectomy in combination with splenectomy on the digestive and immune system must be considered in the design and definition of end points of experimental diabetes and transplantation studies.

Transplantation of human islets without immunosuppression.

Transplantation of pancreatic islets is emerging as a successful treatment for type-1 diabetes. Its current stringent restriction to patients with critical metabolic lability is justified by the long-term need for immunosuppression and a persistent shortage of donor organs. We developed an oxygenated chamber system composed of immune-isolating alginate and polymembrane covers that allows for survival and function of islets without immunosuppression. A patient with type-1 diabetes received a transplanted chamber and was followed for 10 mo. Persistent graft function in this chamber system was demonstrated, with regulated insulin secretion and preservation of islet morphology and function without any immunosuppressive therapy. This approach may allow for future widespread application of cell-based therapies.

Improvement of islet function in a bioartificial pancreas by enhanced oxygen supply and growth hormone releasing hormone agonist.

Islet transplantation is a feasible therapeutic alternative for metabolically labile patients with type 1 diabetes. The primary therapeutic target is stable glycemic control and prevention of complications associated with diabetes by reconstitution of endogenous insulin secretion. However, critical shortage of donor organs, gradual loss in graft function over time, and chronic need for immunosuppression limit the indication for islet transplantation to a small group of patients. Here we present a promising approach to address these limitations by utilization of a macrochamber specially engineered for islet transplantation. The s.c. implantable device allows for controlled and adequate oxygen supply and provides immunological protection of donor islets against the host immune system. The minimally invasive implantable chamber normalized blood glucose in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rodents for up to 3 mo. Sufficient graft function depended on oxygen supply. Pretreatment with the growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) agonist, JI-36, significantly enhanced graft function by improving glucose tolerance and increasing ß-cell insulin reserve in rats thereby allowing for a reduction of the islet mass required for metabolic control. As a result of hypervascularization of the tissue surrounding the device, no relevant delay in insulin response to glucose changes has been observed. Consequently, this system opens up a fundamental strategy for therapy of diabetes and may provide a promising avenue for future approaches to xenotransplantation.

Modulation of pancreatic islets-stress axis by hypothalamic releasing hormones and 11beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase.

Corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH), primarily characterized as neuroregulators of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, directly influence tissue-specific receptor-systems for CRH and GHRH in the endocrine pancreas. Here, we demonstrate the expression of mRNA for CRH and CRH-receptor type 1 (CRHR1) and of protein for CRHR1 in rat and human pancreatic islets and rat insulinoma cells. Activation of CRHR1 and GHRH-receptor significantly increased cell proliferation and reduced cell apoptosis. CRH stimulated both cellular content and release of insulin in rat islet and insulinoma cells. At the ultrastructural level, CRHR1 stimulation revealed a more active metabolic state with enlarged mitochondria. Moreover, glucocorticoids that promote glucose production are balanced by both 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (11ß-HSD) isoforms; 11ß-HSD-type-1 and 11ß-HSD-type-2. We demonstrated expression of mRNA for 11ß-HSD-1 and 11ß-HSD-2 and protein for 11ß-HSD-1 in rat and human pancreatic islets and insulinoma cells. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that stimulation of CRHR1 and GHRH-receptor affects the metabolism of insulinoma cells by down-regulating 11ß-HSD-1 and up-regulating 11ß-HSD-2. The 11ß-HSD enzyme activity was analyzed by measuring the production of cortisol from cortisone. Similarly, activation of CRHR1 resulted in reduced cortisol levels, indicating either decreased 11ß-HSD-1 enzyme activity or increased 11ß-HSD-2 enzyme activity; thus, activation of CRHR1 alters the glucocorticoid balance toward the inactive form. These data indicate that functional receptor systems for hypothalamic-releasing hormone agonists exist within the endocrine pancreas and influence synthesis of insulin and the pancreatic glucocorticoid shuttle. Agonists of CRHR1 and GHRH-receptor, therefore, may play an important role as novel therapeutic tools in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Agonist of growth hormone-releasing hormone as a potential effector for survival and proliferation of pancreatic islets.

Therapeutic strategies for transplantation of pancreatic islet cells are urgently needed to expand beta-cell mass by stimulating islet cell proliferation and/or prolonging islet cell survival. Control of the islets by different growth factors provides a potential venue for augmenting beta-cell mass. In the present study, we show the expression of the biologically active splice variant-1 (SV-1) of growth hormone-releasing hormone (GHRH) receptor in rat insulinoma (INS-1) cells as well as in rat and human pancreatic islets. In studies in vitro of INS-1 cells, the GHRH agonist JI-36 caused a significant increase in cell proliferation and a reduction of cell apoptosis. JI-36 increased islet size and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion in isolated rat islets after 48-72 h. At the ultrastructural level, INS-1 cells treated with agonist JI-36 revealed a metabolic active stimulation state with increased cytoplasm. Coincubation with the GHRH antagonist MIA-602 reversed the actions of the agonist JI-36, indicating the specificity of this agonist. In vivo, the function of pancreatic islets was assessed by transplantation of rat islets under the kidney capsule of streptozotocin-induced diabetic non-obese diabetic-severe combined immunodeficiency (NOD-SCID) mice. Islets treated with GHRH agonist JI-36 were able to achieve normoglycemia earlier and more consistently than untreated islets. Furthermore, in contrast to diabetic animals transplanted with untreated islets, insulin response to an i.p. glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) in animals receiving islets treated with agonist Jl-36 was comparable to that of normal healthy mice. In conclusion, our study provides evidence that agonists of GHRH represent a promising pharmacological therapy aimed at promoting islet graft growth and proliferation in diabetic patients.

Islet versus pancreas transplantation in type 1 diabetes: competitive or complementary?

Whole organ pancreas and pancreatic islet transplantation are currently the only forms of clinically available ß-cell replacement. Both therapeutic options can provide good glycemic control and prevention or stabilization of diabetic complications, but at the price of permanent immunosuppression. Therefore, the indication for transplantation of type 1 diabetes patients must be balanced carefully and should be restricted to a subgroup of patients with extreme lability of metabolic control and frequent hypoglycemia despite optimal medical therapy.

Apocynin-induced vasodilation involves Rho kinase inhibition but not NADPH oxidase inhibition.

AIMS: The present study was designed to test the hypothesis that NADPH oxidase inhibition with apocynin would lower blood pressure and improve endothelial function in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Although apocyin effectively dilated arterial segments in vitro, it failed to lower blood pressure or improve endothelial function. Further experiments were performed in normotensive rats and in NADPH oxidase subunit knock-out mice to test if apocynin-induced vasodilation depends on NADPH oxidase inhibition at all. METHODS AND RESULTS: SHRs were treated with apocynin orally or i.v. Arterial pressure was recorded directly. Rat and mouse arterial function was investigated in vitro by small vessel wire myography. NADPH oxidase activity was measured in human granulocytes and in rat vascular preparations. Rho kinase activity was determined by Western blot analysis. Apocynin did not reduce arterial pressure acutely in SHR when given at 50, 100, or 150 mg kg(-1) day(-1) orally over 1-week intervals or when given i.v. Apocynin potently inhibited granulocyte NADPH oxidase but not vascular NADPH-oxidase-dependent oxygen radical formation unless exogenous peroxidase was added to vascular preparations. Apocynin dilated rat intrarenal and coronary arteries independently of pharmacological interventions that reduce vascular superoxide radical abundance and actions. Aortic rings from p47phox(-/-) mice were more sensitive to apocynin-induced dilation than wild-type aortic rings. Rho kinase inhibition reduced or prevented the inhibitory effect of apocynin on agonist-induced vasoconstriction and apocynin inhibited the phosphorylation of Rho kinase substrates. CONCLUSION: Apocynin per se does not inhibit vascular NADPH-oxidase-dependent superoxide formation. Its in vitro vasodilator actions are not due to NADPH oxidase inhibition but may be explained at least in part by inhibition of Rho kinase activity. The discrepancy between apocynin-induced vasodilation in vitro and the failure of apocynin to lower arterial pressure in SHR suggests opposing effects on arterial pressure-regulating systems in vivo. Its use as a pharmacological tool to investigate vascular NADPH oxidase should be discontinued.

Flow cytometric quantification of glucose-stimulated beta-cell metabolic flux can reveal impaired islet functional potency.

The objective of this study was to develop a multiparametric flow cytometry assay to simultaneously quantify isolated pancreatic islet cell viability, apoptosis, and glucose-induced metabolic flux. INS-1 and rat islet beta-cells were stained with fluorescent probes for cell viability (ToPro3), apoptosis (Annexin V and VADFMK), and intracellular calcium (Ca2+(i)) (Fura Red), stimulated with glucose, and analyzed on a FACS Vantage flow cytometer. Glucose-induced metabolic activity was indicated by changes in Fura Red fluorescence and the autofluorescence of the pyridine [NAD(P)H] and flavin (FAD/FMN) nucleotides. Rat islets cultured under conditions of proinflammatory cytokine-induced oxidative stress were evaluated by flow cytometry and transplantation into diabetic mice. INS-1 and rat islet beta-cell health and metabolic activity were quantified in response to elevated glucose dose and inhibitors of glycolysis and mitochondrial function. Changes in metabolite fluorescence were converted to an area under the curve (AUC) value. Rat islets cultured under oxidative stress conditions showed decreased viability, increased apoptosis, and decreased glucose-induced metabolic activity indicated by reduced AUC for pyridine and flavin nucleotides and Ca2+(i). Reduced metabolite AUC measured by flow cytometry correlated with the inability to reverse diabetes in mice. Single cell flow cytometry can simultaneously quantify both overall islet cell health and beta-cell glucose responsiveness as indicators of functional potency.

Long-term viability and function of transplanted islets macroencapsulated at high density are achieved by enhanced oxygen supply.

Transplantation of encapsulated islets can cure diabetes without immunosuppression, but oxygen supply limitations can cause failure. We investigated a retrievable macroencapsulation device wherein islets are encapsulated in a planar alginate slab and supplied with exogenous oxygen from a replenishable gas chamber. Translation to clinically-useful devices entails reduction of device size by increasing islet surface density, which requires increased gas chamber pO2. Here we show that islet surface density can be substantially increased safely by increasing gas chamber pO2 to a supraphysiological level that maintains all islets viable and functional. These levels were determined from measurements of pO2 profiles in islet-alginate slabs. Encapsulated islets implanted with surface density as high as 4,800 islet equivalents/cm3 in diabetic rats maintained normoglycemia for more than 7 months and provided near-normal intravenous glucose tolerance tests. Nearly 90% of the original viable tissue was recovered after device explantation. Damaged islets failed after progressively shorter times. The required values of gas chamber pO2 were predictable from a mathematical model of oxygen consumption and diffusion in the device. These results demonstrate feasibility of developing retrievable macroencapsulated devices small enough for clinical use and provide a firm basis for design of devices for testing in large animals and humans.

Positive feedback regulation between MMP-9 and VEGF in human RPE cells.

PURPOSE: The proteolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) is involved in pathologic angiogenesis in the eye. However, it is unknown whether MMPs may stimulate the production of the major angiogenic factor, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). The authors investigated whether MMP-2 and MMP-9 alter the expression of VEGF by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. They also sought to determine the effects of MMPs on cellular proliferation and migration and the effect of triamcinolone acetonide on MMP-9-evoked cellular responses. METHODS: Human RPE cell cultures were stimulated with MMP-2 or MMP-9. The gene expression and secretion of MMP-9 and VEGF were determined by real-time RT-PCR and ELISA, respectively. Cellular proliferation was investigated with a bromodeoxyuridine immunoassay, and chemotaxis was examined with a Boyden chamber assay. RESULTS: Under control conditions, RPE cells in vitro expressed a significantly higher amount of mRNA for MMP-2 than for MMP-9. Chemical hypoxia caused upregulation of the gene expression of both MMPs, whereas VEGF increased the gene expression and secretion of MMP-9. The hypoxic expression of MMP-9 was mediated by autocrine VEGF signaling. Exogenous MMP-9 increased the gene expression and secretion of VEGF, whereas MMP-2 reduced the secretion of VEGF. MMP-2 and MMP-9 did not alter the proliferation but stimulated the migration of RPE cells. Triamcinolone fully inhibited the stimulatory effect of MMP-9 on the expression of VEGF and the VEGF-evoked increase in the expression of MMP-9. However, triamcinolone had no effect on the motogenic effect of MMP-9. CONCLUSIONS: There is a positive feedback regulation between MMP-9 and VEGF in RPE cells. The hypoxic expression of MMP-9 may stimulate the production and secretion of VEGF under pathologic conditions. Triamcinolone inhibits the positive feedback regulation between MMP-9 and VEGF under hypoxic conditions through inhibition of the gene expression of MMP-9 and the secretion of VEGF.

Vessel Network Architecture of Adult Human Islets Promotes Distinct Cell-Cell Interactions In Situ and Is Altered After Transplantation.

Islet-cell hormone release is modulated by signals from endothelial and endocrine cells within the islet. However, models of intraislet vascularization and paracrine cell signaling are mostly based on the rodent pancreas. We assessed the architecture and endocrine cell interaction of the vascular network in unperturbed human islets in situ and their potential to re-establish their endogenous vascular network after transplantation in vivo. We prepared slices of fresh pancreas tissue obtained from nondiabetic patients undergoing partial pancreatectomy. In addition, we transplanted human donor islets into the anterior chamber of the mouse eye. Next, we performed three-dimensional in situ and in vivo imaging of islet cell and vessel architecture at cellular resolution and compared our findings with mouse and porcine islets. Our data reveal a significantly different vascular architecture with decreased vessel diameter, reduced vessel branching, and shortened total vessel network in human compared with mouse islets. Together with the distinct cellular arrangement in human islets, this limits ß to endothelial cell interactions, facilitates connection of α and ß cells, and promotes the formation of independent ß-cell clusters within islets. Furthermore, our results show that the endogenous vascular network of islets is significantly altered after transplantation in a donor age-related mechanism. Thus, our study provides insight into the vascular architecture and cellular arrangement of human islets with apparent consequences for intercellular islet signaling. Moreover, our findings suggest that human islet engraftment after transplantation can be improved by using alternative, less mature islet-cell sources.

Differential in vivo and in vitro expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C and VEGF-D in tumors and its relationship to lymphatic metastasis in immunocompetent rats.

The presence of metastases in regional lymph nodes is a strong indicator of poor patient survival. A number of clinical and experimental studies suggest that tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis driven by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C- and/or VEGF-D-induced activation of VEGF receptor (VEGFR)-3 may promote metastasis to regional lymph nodes. Here we show that constitutive VEGF-C and VEGF-D expression by tumor cells of diverse origin grown in tissue culture does not correlate with metastatic potential in vivo. However, tumors derived from cell lines that do not constitutively express VEGF-C or VEGF-D in tissue culture can nevertheless express one or both of these factors. We demonstrate that both tumor and stromal cells can contribute to this expression, suggesting that tumor cell-host interactions determine tumor expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D. Using immunocompetent rat mammary tumor models, we show in two ways that this expression can promote metastasis via the lymphatics. Firstly, ectopic expression of a soluble VEGFR-3 receptor globulin protein in MT-450 tumor cells that are highly metastatic via the lymphatics blocked VEGF-C and VEGF-D activity and suppressed metastasis formation in both the regional lymph nodes and the lungs. Secondly, ectopic expression in the weakly metastatic NM-081 cell line of a mutant form of VEGF-C that is only able to activate VEGFR-3 strongly promoted metastasis of these cells to the regional lymph nodes and lung. These data show that expression of VEGF-C and VEGF-D in tissue culture does not reflect expression in vivo and that activation of VEGFR-3 in the absence of VEGFR-2 activation is sufficient to promote tumor-induced lymphangiogenesis and metastasis, and they support the notion that blockade of VEGFR-3 activation will be useful as a novel form of cancer therapy.

P2Y1 Receptor Signaling Contributes to High Salt-Induced Priming of the NLRP3 Inflammasome in Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells.

BACKGROUND: Systemic hypertension is a risk factor of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a chronic inflammatory disease. Acute hypertension is caused by increased extracellular osmolarity after intake of dietary salt (NaCl). We determined in cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells whether high extracellular NaCl alters the gene expression of inflammasome-associated proteins, and whether autocrine/paracrine purinergic (P2) receptor signaling contributes to the NaCl-induced NLRP3 gene expression. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Hyperosmolarity was induced by the addition of 100 mM NaCl or sucrose to the culture medium. Gene and protein expression levels were determined with real-time RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. IL-1ß and IL-18 levels were evaluated with ELISA. Nuclear factor of activated T cell 5 (NFAT5) expression was knocked down with siRNA. High extracellular NaCl induced NLRP3 and pro-IL-1ß gene expression, while the gene expression of further inflammasome-associated proteins (NLRP1, NLRP2, NLRP6, NLRP7, NLRP12, NLRC4, AIM2, ASC, procaspase-1, pro-IL-18) was not altered or below the detection threshold. The NaCl-induced NLRP3 gene expression was partially dependent on the activities of phospholipase C, IP3 receptors, protein kinase C, the serum and glucocorticoid-regulated kinase, p38 MAPK, ERK1/2, JNK, PI3K, and the transcription factors HIF-1 and NFAT5. Pannexin-dependent ATP release and P2Y1 receptor activation is required for the full induction of NLRP3 gene expression. High NaCl induced a transient increase of the NLRP3 protein level and a moderate NLRP3 inflammasome activation, as indicated by the transient increase of the cytosolic level of mature IL-1ß. High NaCl also induced secretion of IL-18. CONCLUSION: High extracellular NaCl induces priming of the NLRP3 inflammasome in RPE cells, in part via P2Y1 receptor signaling. The inflammasome priming effect of NaCl suggests that high intake of dietary salt may promote local retinal inflammation implicated in the development of AMD.

Developmental endothelial locus-1 modulates platelet-monocyte interactions and instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction in islet transplantation.

Platelet-monocyte interactions are strongly implicated in thrombo-inflammatory injury by actively contributing to intravascular inflammation, leukocyte recruitment to inflamed sites, and the amplification of the procoagulant response. Instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR) represents thrombo-inflammatory injury elicited upon pancreatic islet transplantation (islet-Tx), thereby dramatically affecting transplant survival and function. Developmental endothelial locus-1 (Del-1) is a functionally versatile endothelial cell-derived homeostatic factor with anti-inflammatory properties, but its potential role in IBMIR has not been previously addressed. Here, we establish Del-1 as a novel inhibitor of IBMIR using a whole blood-islet model and a syngeneic murine transplantation model. Indeed, Del-1 pre-treatment of blood before addition of islets diminished coagulation activation and islet damage as assessed by C-peptide release. Consistently, intraportal islet-Tx in transgenic mice with endothelial cell-specific overexpression of Del-1 resulted in a marked decrease of monocytes and platelet-monocyte aggregates in the transplanted tissues, relative to those in wild-type recipients. Mechanistically, Del-1 decreased platelet-monocyte aggregate formation, by specifically blocking the interaction between monocyte Mac-1-integrin and platelet GPIb. Our findings reveal a hitherto unknown role of Del-1 in the regulation of platelet-monocyte interplay and the subsequent heterotypic aggregate formation in the context of IBMIR. Therefore, Del-1 may represent a novel approach to prevent or mitigate the adverse reactions mediated through thrombo-inflammatory pathways in islet-Tx and perhaps other inflammatory disorders involving platelet-leukocyte aggregate formation.

The efficacy of an immunoisolating membrane system for islet xenotransplantation in minipigs.

Developing a device that protects xenogeneic islets to allow treatment and potentially cure of diabetes in large mammals has been a major challenge in the past decade. Using xenogeneic islets for transplantation is required in light of donor shortage and the large number of diabetic patients that qualify for islet transplantation. Until now, however, host immunoreactivity against the xenogeneic graft has been a major drawback for the use of porcine islets. Our study demonstrates the applicability of a novel immunoprotective membrane that allows successful xenotransplantation of rat islets in diabetic minipigs without immunosuppressive therapy. Rat pancreatic islets were encapsulated in highly purified alginate and integrated into a plastic macrochamber covered by a poly-membrane for subcutaneous transplantation. Diabetic Sinclair pigs were transplanted and followed for up to 90 days. We demonstrated a persistent graft function and restoration of normoglycemia without the need for immunosuppressive therapy. This concept could potentially offer an attractive strategy for a more widespread islet replacement therapy that would restore endogenous insulin secretion in diabetic patients without the need for immunosuppressive drugs and may even open up an avenue for safe utilization of xenogeneic islet donors.

Functional assessment of automatically sorted pancreatic islets using large particle flow cytometry.

The size composition of human islet preparations has been attributed to functional potency, islet survival and transplantation outcomes. In the early post-transplantation phase islets are supplied with oxygen by diffusion only and are at risk of critical hypoxia. The high rate of early islet graft dysfunction is in part attributed to this condition. It has been presumed that islets with smaller diameter, and therefore smaller diffusion distance, are superior to large islets regarding early survival rate and graft function. In this study we aimed to evaluate Complex Object Parametric Analysis and Sorting (COPAS) as a device for automated sorting of human islets. The use of COPAS was validated for accuracy and sensitivity using polystyrene beads of known diameters. Based on time of flight relative to particle isolated islets were then automatically sorted and analyzed for viability and function using handpicked islets as control. Our results suggest that COPAS enables the automated and accurate sorting of islets with no negative impact on their integrity and viability. Thus, COPAS is an adequate tool for size-specific analysis of pancreatic islets and may be considered as part of a platform for automated high-throughput screening of pancreatic islets.

The influence of oxygen supply on metabolism of neural cells cultured on a gas-permeable PTFE foil.

The influence of oxygen on neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis is of great interest for regenerative therapies in neurodegenerative disorders, such as Parkinson's disease. These oxygen depending mechanisms have to been considered for the optimization of neural cell culture conditions. In this study, we used a cell culture system with an oxygen-permeable polytetrafluorethylene (PTFE) foil to investigate the effect of oxygen on metabolism and survival of neural cell lines in vitro. Human glial astrocytoma-derived cells (GOS-3) and rat pheochromacytoma cells (PC12) were cultured on the gas-permeable PTFE foil as well as a conventional non oxygen-permeable cell culture substrate at various oxygen concentrations. Analyses of metabolic activity, gene expression of apoptotic grade, and dopamine synthesis were performed. Under low oxygen partial pressure (2%, 5%) the anaerobic metabolism and apoptotic rate of cultured cells is diminished on PTFE foil when compared with the conventional culture dishes. In contrast, under higher oxygen atmosphere (21%) the number of apoptotic cells on the PTFE foil was enhanced. This culture model demonstrates a suitable model for the improvement of oxygen dependent metabolism under low oxygen conditions as well as for induction of oxidative stress by high oxygen atmosphere without supplementation of neurotoxins.

Tamoxifen-independent recombination in the RIP-CreER mouse.

BACKGROUND: The inducible Cre-lox system is a valuable tool to study gene function in a spatial and time restricted fashion in mouse models. This strategy relies on the limited background activity of the modified Cre recombinase (CreER) in the absence of its inducer, the competitive estrogen receptor ligand, tamoxifen. The RIP-CreER mouse (Tg (Ins2-cre/Esr1) 1Dam) is among the few available ß-cell specific CreER mouse lines and thus it has been often used to manipulate gene expression in the insulin-producing cells of the endocrine pancreas. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Here, we report the detection of tamoxifen-independent Cre activity as early as 2 months of age in RIP-CreER mice crossed with three distinct reporter strains. SIGNIFICANCE: Evidence of Cre-mediated recombination of floxed alleles even in the absence of tamoxifen administration should warrant cautious use of this mouse for the study of pancreatic ß-cells.