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Ubiquitous Luciferase Expression in "Firefly Rats" Does Not Alter the Pancreatic Islet Morphology, Metabolism, and
Nelson Gonzalez1, Hiroyuki Kato1, Wilma Tixi1
1Department of Translational Research & Cellular Therapeutics, Arthur Riggs Diabetes & Metabolism Research Institute, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA, USA.
Cell Transplantation
|June 22, 2023
Summary
Firefly rats, engineered for bioluminescence imaging, show no changes in islet function or morphology. This confirms their suitability for dual assessment in islet transplantation studies.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Genetics
- Transplantation Biology
Background:
- Firefly rats express luciferase under the ROSA26 promoter for in vivo imaging in transplantation.
- Luciferase's low immunogenicity supports its use in tracking transplanted grafts.
- The impact of ubiquitous luciferase expression on islet morphology and function requires thorough investigation for accurate islet transplantation studies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effect of ubiquitous luciferase expression on islet morphology and function in Firefly rats.
- To compare in vivo glucose homeostasis between luciferase-expressing Firefly rats and non-luciferase-expressing rats.
- To assess in vitro characteristics of isolated islets from both rat models.
Main Methods:
- In vivo glucose homeostasis assessment including blood glucose levels, glucose tolerance tests, and C-peptide levels.
- In vitro analysis of isolated islets for morphology, beta cell populations, insulin content, and metabolic function (oxygen consumption, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion).
Main Results:
- No statistical differences were observed in in vivo glucose homeostasis parameters between Firefly rats and control rats.
- Isolated islets from both groups exhibited comparable in vitro characteristics, including yield, size, beta cell proportion, insulin content, and metabolic function.
- Ubiquitous luciferase expression did not alter islet morphology, metabolism, or function.
Conclusions:
- Ubiquitous luciferase expression in Firefly rats does not compromise islet morphology, metabolism, or function.
- These findings validate the use of Firefly rats for simultaneous assessment of islet graft function and bioluminescence imaging.
- Firefly rats are a suitable model for islet transplantation research requiring in vivo imaging capabilities.
