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Swine islet isolation and transplantation.
C Ricordi1, C Socci, A M Davalli
1Department of Surgery, Scientific Institute H. San Raffaele, University of Milan, Italy.
Hormone and Metabolic Research. Supplement Series
|January 1, 1990
Summary
This study details a new method for isolating large quantities of swine islets, achieving high purity and successful transplantation in diabetic mice. The procedure demonstrates potential for advancing islet cell therapies.
Area of Science:
- Transplantation Biology
- Endocrinology
- Surgical Innovation
Background:
- Islet transplantation is a promising therapy for type 1 diabetes.
- Efficient and scalable methods for isolating high-quality islets are crucial for clinical application.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe and evaluate a large-scale isolation procedure for swine islets.
- To assess the yield, purity, and function of isolated swine islets.
- To determine the efficacy of swine islets in a diabetic mouse model.
Main Methods:
- Swine pancreases were obtained from heart-beating donors with no warm ischemia time.
- Islets were isolated using a modified automated method adapted from human islet isolation protocols.
- Islets underwent purification, and their quantity, purity, and insulin content were assessed.
- Transplantation into diabetic nude mice was performed to evaluate in vivo function.
Main Results:
- An average of 690,000 islets per pancreas were isolated, with a recovery of 255,000 islets post-purification.
- The final islet preparation achieved 80-95% purity.
- Transplantation in diabetic nude mice resulted in normoglycemia, which reversed upon graft removal.
Conclusions:
- The described modified automated method enables large-scale isolation of high-purity swine islets.
- The isolated islets demonstrate functional capacity and potential for xenotransplantation.
- This procedure represents a significant step towards clinical applications of swine islet transplantation.