Free radical profiles in an encapsulated pancreatic cell matrix model

The survival of encapsulated pancreatic cells or islets is often limited because of nutrient deficiency, fibrotic overgrowth, and immune attack. Activated immune cells, such as macrophages, release nitric oxide (NO) and superoxide (O2-). These species or their reactive intermediates, such as peroxynitrite, can be cytotoxic, mutagenic, and/or carcinogenic. The transport of these free radicals to encapsulated pancreatic cells cannot be impeded by the present immunoisolation technology. A model has been developed simulating free radical profiles within an encapsulation matrix due to macrophage immune cells attached to the surface of an encapsulation matrix. The model incorporates the transport and reactions of NO, O2- , O2, and total peroxynitrite (PER). The model predictions of NO, O2-, and PER concentrations to which pancreatic cells are potentially exposed are in the range of 8-42 microM, 0.5-8 nM, and 0.1-0.8 microM, respectively, for a 100-500 microm radius encapsulation matrix. The results demonstrate that the potential exists for free radical damage of encapsulated pancreatic cells and also demonstrates that additional exposure studies may be necessary for assessing free radical effects on pancreatic cell function. Also, care must be taken in assuming that encapsulated cell systems are completely protected from immunological action.