Clinical transplantation of fetal human pancreatic islets

Fetal human Langerhans islets were isolated from pancreatic tissue of 2 embryos aged 20 and 22 weeks by partial collagenase digestion. The islets were kept in Eagle's medium at 37 degrees C and 5% CO2 for 10 weeks. The insulin production was continuous during this period. The two cultured fetal islet masses were transplanted to a 31-year-old diabetic man and a 58-year-old diabetic woman. They have required insulin treatment for 25 and 30 years, respectively, and have suffered from retinopathy. The transplantations were performed to the liver after tissue typing. In the case of the man the daily insulin requirement was slightly reduced after 4 months of transplantation but later (8th month) the insulin dose was half the original one. Just now (24 months) the insulin dose is on the same level. In the case of the woman the daily insulin requirement was reduced only after 8 months of transplantation. Just now (13 months) her insulin dose is 12 U less than the original one. In both of them the function of the transplanted islets was proved by measurement of serum C-peptide level and by the fundus examination (no progression of retinopathy).