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A Simple High Efficiency Protocol for Pancreatic Islet Isolation from Mice
Published on: August 30, 2019
Cryopreserved agarose-encapsulated islets as bioartificial pancreas: a feasibility study
Carlos A Agudelo1, Yuji Teramura, Hiroo Iwata
1Department of Reparative Materials, Institute for Frontier Medical Sciences, Kyoto University, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, Japan.
Transplantation
|January 13, 2009
Summary
Cryopreservation of agarose-encapsulated islets (Mic-islets) offers a viable solution for long-term storage. These cryopreserved Mic-islets successfully restored normoglycemia in diabetic mice, demonstrating their potential as a bioartificial pancreas.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Endocrinology
- Regenerative Medicine
Background:
- Type 1 diabetes mellitus necessitates advanced treatment strategies.
- Bioartificial pancreases using encapsulated islets of Langerhans (islets) show therapeutic promise.
- Challenges exist in the long-term storage and accessibility of encapsulated islets.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate cryopreservation as a method for long-term storage of agarose-encapsulated islets (Mic-islets).
- To assess the viability and function of cryopreserved Mic-islets for use in a bioartificial pancreas.
Main Methods:
- Agarose-encapsulated islets (Mic-islets) were cryopreserved using KYO-1 vitrification solution.
- Morphological, insulin secretion, and histochemical analyses were performed on cryopreserved Mic-islets.
- Cryopreserved Mic-islets were transplanted into streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice to evaluate in vivo efficacy.
Main Results:
- Cryopreserved Mic-islets successfully restored normoglycemia in diabetic mouse models.
- Transplanted cryopreserved Mic-islets maintained normoglycemia for extended periods (up to 46.3 days for 2000 Mic-islets).
- Comparison with non-cryopreserved islets indicated comparable efficacy in controlling blood glucose levels.
Conclusions:
- Cryopreservation is a feasible method for the long-term storage of agarose-encapsulated islets.
- Cryopreserved Mic-islets can function effectively as a bioartificial pancreas, controlling blood glucose levels.
- This approach enhances the accessibility and convenience of islet-based therapies for type 1 diabetes.
