Improvement of human pancreatic islet quality after co-culture with human adipose-derived stem cells
Bianca M de Souza1, Michelle Rodrigues2, Fernanda S de Oliveira3
1Laboratory of Human Pancreatic Islet Biology, Endocrine Division, Hospital de Clınicas de Porto Alegre, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil; Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate Program in Medical Sciences: Endocrinology, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate whether co-culture of human islets with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) can improve islet quality and to evaluate which factors play a role in the protective effect of ASCs against islet dysfunction. Islets and ASCs were cultured in three experimental groups for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h: 1) indirect co-culture of islets with ASC monolayer (Islets/ASCs); 2) islets alone; and 3) ASCs alone. Co-culture with ASCs improved islet viability and function in all culture time-points analyzed. VEGFA, HGF, IL6, IL8, IL10, CCL2, IL1B, and TNF protein levels were increased in supernatants of islet/ASC group compared to islets alone, mainly after 24 h. Moreover, VEGFA, IL6, CCL2, HIF1A, XIAP, CHOP, and NFKBIA genes were differentially expressed in islets from the co-culture condition compared to islets alone. In conclusion, co-culture of islets with ASCs promotes improvements in islet quality.
