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Updated: Aug 19, 2026
Human Pancreatic Islet Isolation: Part II: Purification and Culture of Human Islets
Published on: May 26, 2009
Assessment of a novel two-component enzyme preparation for human islet isolation and transplantation
Pascal Bucher1, Zoltan Mathe, Philippe Morel
1Cell Isolation and Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospital, Geneva, Switzerland.
Background:
Biologic characteristics of enzyme products used for islet isolation are critical for the success of islet transplantation. In particular, lot-to-lot variability significantly affects the yields of the isolation procedure. In this study, we have evaluated a new enzyme preparation in which highly purified collagenase can be blended with separately supplied neutral protease in a predetermined ratio.
Methods:
We compared the results of human-islet isolations performed either with Collagenase NB1 supplemented with Neutral Protease NB (group I, n=9) or with Liberase (group II, n=9).
Results:
Endotoxin contents of the enzyme preparations were lower in group I. Total islet yields were similar in both groups, but islet equivalents per gram of pancreas was higher in group I (4,020+/-1,240 vs. 2,360+/-1,350; P<0.05). Islet morphology was improved in group I with significantly higher proportion of free and intact islets (71+/-9% vs. 52+/-14%; P<0.01). In vitro function was improved and apoptosis rate was lower in group I.
Conclusions:
This new enzyme blend was as efficient as Liberase in terms of islet yields and showed improvements in islet morphology, viability, and in vitro function. The possibility to control lot-to-lot variability and the low endotoxin contents make Collagenase NB1 a promising product for human-islet isolation.
