Beta-cell function in isolated human pancreatic islets in long-term tissue culture

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Cell Biology
• Transplantation Research

Background:

• Human pancreatic islets are crucial for insulin production and glucose homeostasis.
• Maintaining islet viability and function in vitro is essential for research and potential therapeutic applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the feasibility of isolating and culturing human pancreatic islets from adult donors.
• To evaluate the long-term viability and insulin secretory function of cultured human islets.
• To investigate the influence of glucose concentration on insulin release from isolated islets.

Main Methods:

• Isolation of human pancreatic islets using collagenase treatment from 27 adult donors.
• Culturing islets in RPMI 1640 medium supplemented with serum.
• Measuring insulin production rates over time and assessing glucose-stimulated insulin release via batch incubation and perifusion.

Main Results:

• Viable human islets of Langerhans were successfully obtained and maintained in culture for up to two years.
• Insulin production rates varied (0.2–8 ng/islet/day) without significant correlation to donor age or sex.
• Insulin release demonstrated a dose-dependent response to glucose, with maximal release observed at 10 mM glucose in both acute and chronic studies.

Conclusions:

• Adult human pancreatic tissue yields viable islets of Langerhans capable of sustained beta-cell function in vitro.
• Cultured human islets maintain glucose-responsive insulin secretion for extended periods (up to two years).
• Variability in insulin production is likely due to physiological and methodological factors rather than donor age or sex.