Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 27, 2026
Scaffold-supported Transplantation of Islets in the Epididymal Fat Pad of Diabetic Mice
Published on: July 23, 2017
Subcutaneous transplantation may not be an appropriate approach for the islets embedded in the collagen gel scaffolds
Background:
Synthetic extracellular matrix (ECM) has been shown to be efficient to preserve the function of transplanted islets. In this study using a mouse model, we sought to determine whether subcutaneous transplantation was a convenient procedure for achieving normoglycemia.
Methods:
We performed in vitro tests as well as morphologic observations and Western blotting to establish that embedded islets survived better than non-embedded islets. Streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice (BALB/c) were transplanted with ECM-embedded syngeneic islets via the subcutaneous (SC; n = 5) or subrenal capsule (SRC; n = 6) routes. We measured mean blood glucose levels at various points from pretransplantation to postoperative day 14, and examined immunohistochemistry staining for insulin in the transplant grafts on day 14.
Results:
Islets transplanted with ECM gel retained better structure and developed a functional vasculature. Western blotting showed more caspase-3 expressed in the non-embedded islets, which indicated more islet cells undergoing apoptosis. On the first day after transplantation, glucose levels were significantly decreased in the SRC group compared with the SC group: 383.33 ± 44.50 mg/dL to 80.67 ± 16.85 mg/dL versus 414.00 ± 92.33 mg/dL to 278.28 ± 121.80 mg/dL (P < .05). Glucose levels were better maintained in the SRC group than the SC group over 14 days. Immunohistochemistry staining for insulin showed fewer islets in the SC group.
Conclusion:
Embedded islets with ECM gel functioned better than non-embedded ones in vitro. However, the subcutaneous route may not be an ideal site for islet transplantation.
