RESUMO
AIM: To identify the decreasing effect of xenotransplantion in combination with privileged sites on rejection and death of biological semipermeable membrane-(BSM) encapsulated implanted islets. METHODS: After the BSM experiment in vitro, BSM-encapsulated SD rat's islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) were xenotransplanted into normal dog's brain. Morphological changes were observed under light and transmission electron microscope. The islets and apoptosis of implanted B cells were identified by insulin-TUNEL double staining. RESULTS: The BSM used in our study had a favorable permeability, some degree of rigidity, lighter foreign body reaction and toxicity. The grafts consisted of epithelioid cells and loose connective tissue. Severe infiltration of inflammatory cells was not observed. The implanted ICCs were identified 2 mo later and showed typical apoptosis. CONCLUSION: BSM xenotransplantation in combination with the privileged site can inhibit the rejection of implanted heterogeneous ICCs, and death of implanted heterogeneous B cells is associated with apoptosis.
