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Updated: May 14, 2026
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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
Transplanted human pancreatic islets after long-term insulin independence.
Y D Muller1,2, S Gupta3, P Morel1
1Cell Isolation and Transplantation Center, Department of Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals and University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland.
Summary
Long-term insulin independence is rare after islet transplantation. This case study shows transplanted islets can survive over 13 years, maintaining insulin independence and unique morphological changes.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
- Transplantation Biology
Background:
- Long-term insulin independence following islet transplantation remains a significant challenge in managing type 1 diabetes.
- This study investigates the histological and immunological characteristics of transplanted islets in a patient achieving prolonged insulin independence.
Observation:
- Islets were transplanted from two donors with varying HLA mismatches into a type 1 diabetic patient.
- The patient maintained insulin independence for over 13 years before succumbing to a cerebral hemorrhage.
- Post-mortem analysis revealed insulin-positive islets distributed throughout the liver, with altered morphology.
Findings:
- Transplanted islets exhibited significant morphological changes, losing their compact structure and forming unfolded epithelial bands.
- Leukocyte phenotyping did not indicate a tolerogenic environment in the islet-containing portal spaces.
- HLA typing confirmed preferential retention of islets from the best-matched donor, suggesting immune selection.
Implications:
- This case demonstrates the potential for long-term survival and function of allogeneic islets in the liver.
- The findings suggest that immune rejection may play a more dominant role than autoimmunity in the long-term fate of transplanted islets.
- Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms underlying islet survival and the balance between rejection and autoimmunity.
