Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells improve islet graft function in diabetic rats

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Regenerative Medicine
• Immunology

Background:

• Type 1 diabetes involves progressive beta cell loss, making pancreatic islet transplantation a potential cure.
• Improving islet graft survival and function is crucial for successful transplantation outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate if bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) enhance pancreatic islet graft vascularization and improve glycemic control in diabetic rats.
• To determine if MSCs allow a reduced number of islets to achieve comparable glycemic control to a larger islet graft alone.

Main Methods:

• Diabetic Lewis rats received transplantation of 2000 syngenic islets alone or with 10(6) MSCs under the kidney capsule.
• Vascularization of islet grafts was quantified using morphometric analysis with anti-RECA and anti-insulin antibodies.
• Gene expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in MSCs was analyzed via RT-PCR.

Main Results:

• Rats receiving islets plus MSCs achieved and maintained normoglycemia, unlike those receiving islets alone.
• Comparable glycemic control was observed with 2000 islets plus MSCs versus 3000 islets alone.
• Co-transplantation with MSCs significantly increased islet graft capillary density (1459 +/- 66/mm(2)) compared to islets alone (1002 +/- 55/mm(2)).

Conclusions:

• Mesenchymal stem cells promote significant vascularization of pancreatic islet grafts.
• Co-transplantation of MSCs with islets improves graft function and glycemic control in diabetic rats.
• This strategy holds promise for reducing the number of islets required for successful diabetes treatment.