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Updated: Feb 6, 2026
Human Pancreatic Islet Isolation: Part I: Digestion and Collection of Pancreatic Tissue
Published on: May 26, 2009
Multiple-Condition Analysis in a Retrievable Subcutaneous Animal Model for Drug Screening on Full Pancreatic Tissue
Tim W G M Spitters1,2, Parker L Andersen1,2, Chloé Martel1,2
1Laboratoire de bio-ingénierie et de biophysique de l'Université de Sherbrooke, Department of Chemical and Biotechnological Engineering, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Canada.
Abstract:
The lack of understanding on how to treat pancreas-related diseases and develop new therapeutics is partly due to the unavailability of appropriate models. In vitro models fail to provide a physiological environment. Testing new drug targets in these models can give rise to bias and misleading results. Therefore, we developed an in vivo model for drug testing on full pancreatic digests, which maintains the interactions between endo- and exocrine tissues and allows retrieving the samples for further analyses. The use of full pancreatic digest eliminates the need to isolate islets, reducing time and cost. In this model, four different conditions can be implanted subcutaneously within the same animal. Each condition consists of full pancreatic tissue digests embedded in alginate beads. All alginate beads in one animal contained full pancreatic digest of the same donor and, after 5-day implantation, were retrieved for analysis focusing on survival, function, and/or organization. Proof-of-principle of the platform was evidenced by showing the effect of hyaluronic acid and vascular endothelial growth factor on the overall function of the full pancreatic digest and on endothelial cells in the pancreatic digest, respectively. Retrieval from identical animals allows direct comparison between conditions. Metabolism (MTT) quantification, dithizone staining, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion assessment allow to discriminate, using a minimal number of animals, between treatments and validate the system. Because of its simplicity, the model is highly adaptable to specific needs of the user.
Insights
A new in vivo model using full pancreatic digests in alginate beads offers a better platform for testing pancreas disease therapeutics. This approach reduces costs and time while improving accuracy for drug development.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Regenerative Medicine
- Drug Discovery
Background:
- Current in vitro models lack physiological relevance for pancreas research.
- This limitation hinders the development of effective treatments for pancreas-related diseases.
- Existing models often lead to biased and unreliable drug testing results.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a novel in vivo model for evaluating pancreatic therapeutics.
- To create a model that preserves the complex interactions within pancreatic tissue.
- To establish a cost-effective and time-efficient platform for drug testing.
Main Methods:
- Developed an in vivo model using full pancreatic digests embedded in alginate beads.
- Implanted four different conditions subcutaneously within the same animal for direct comparison.
- Retrieved explants after 5-day implantation for analysis of survival, function, and organization.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated proof-of-principle by showing effects of hyaluronic acid and vascular endothelial growth factor.
- Validated the model's ability to assess overall pancreatic digest function and endothelial cell behavior.
- Utilized metabolism (MTT) assays, dithizone staining, and glucose-stimulated insulin secretion for analysis.
Conclusions:
- The developed in vivo model accurately reflects pancreatic tissue behavior and drug responses.
- This platform simplifies drug testing, reduces animal usage, and enhances therapeutic development for pancreatic diseases.
- The model's adaptability makes it suitable for various research needs in pancreas-related studies.
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