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Longitudinal In Vivo Imaging and Quantification of Human Pancreatic Islet Grafting and Contributing Host Cells in the Anterior Eye Chamber
Published on: June 11, 2020
Extensive amyloid formation in transplanted microencapsulated mouse and human islets
Sara Bohman1, Gunilla T Westermark
1Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Sweden.
Summary
Amyloid deposition, a cause of islet transplant failure, was more frequent in microencapsulated islets. This suggests micro-encapsulation can enhance studies of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) formation.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
- Transplantation Biology
Background:
- Islet amyloid deposition is common in type 2 diabetes and islet transplants, potentially causing graft failure.
- Low vascular density in transplanted islets may impair clearance of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate amyloid accumulation in microencapsulated islets, serving as a model for non-vascularized grafts.
- To test the hypothesis that reduced vascularization promotes amyloid formation.
Main Methods:
- Human or transgenic mouse islets expressing human IAPP were microencapsulated in alginate.
- Islets were cultured in vitro or transplanted into nude mice.
- Amyloid presence was assessed via Congo red staining and electron microscopy.
Main Results:
- Amyloid was detected in both cultured and transplanted microencapsulated islets.
- Amyloid deposition was more prevalent in microencapsulated grafts compared to non-encapsulated ones.
- Electron microscopy confirmed intra- and extracellular amyloid in various islet grafts.
Conclusions:
- Micro-encapsulation of pancreatic islets enhances amyloid formation.
- This technique provides a valuable model for studying amyloidogenesis under specific conditions.
