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Production of islet cell sheets using cryopreserved islet cells
1Institute of Advanced Biomedical Engineering and Science, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Shinjyuku, Tokyo, Japan. ohashi@abmes.twmu.ac.jp
Transplantation Proceedings
|November 22, 2011
Summary
Cryopreserved islet cells can be successfully used to create functional islet cell sheets for tissue engineering. This method maintains cell viability and normal phenotypes, expanding therapeutic options for diabetes treatment.
Area of Science:
- Regenerative Medicine
- Cell Biology
- Biomaterials Science
Background:
- Novel islet-based therapies are crucial for treating diabetes.
- Islet cell sheets from fresh cells are transplantable but require expansion of the protocol.
- Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PIPAAm) grafted dishes with laminin-5 coating are key to current islet sheet generation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the viability and cellular phenotype of islet cell sheets generated from cryopreserved islet cells.
- To determine if cryopreservation is a viable method for preparing cells for islet sheet technology.
- To expand the utility of islet cell sheet generation for potential clinical applications.
Main Methods:
- Lewis rat islets were cryopreserved using University of Wisconsin solution and dimethyl sulfoxide.
- Culture dishes were coated with PIPAAm and rat laminin-5.
- Thawed islet cells were plated on coated dishes and cultured for sheet formation.
Main Results:
- Thawed islet cells showed 86% viability via trypan blue exclusion.
- Contiguous cell sheets were harvested from thawed cells by temperature change.
- Electron microscopy confirmed retained cell-cell connections and secretion granules in the sheets.
Conclusions:
- Appropriately cryopreserved and thawed islet cells are a viable source for functional islet sheet creation.
- This approach supports tissue engineering and potential clinical applications for diabetes.
- Islet cell sheets from cryopreserved cells maintain essential cellular characteristics.
