OBJECTIVE: Identifying a limitless source of β-cells that survive transplantation into a neovascularised site and provide normal blood glucose control remains an important goal in the development of pancreatic islet xenotransplantation. It was our hypothesis that fetal porcine pancreas fragments could achieve these objectives, and this was tested in a large preclinical animal model. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Inbred "Westran Pig" fetal porcine pancreas fragments were transplanted beneath the splenic capsule into syngeneic Westran Pig recipients without immunosuppression, and 3 months later, a total native pancreatectomy was performed to demonstrate function. RESULTS: Histologic analysis showed appropriate development of islet-like structures up to and beyond 120 days after transplantation. After native pancreatectomy, recipients survived more than 100 days without exogenous insulin and with normal glucose homeostasis as assessed by normal glucose tolerance tests, K values, and normal glucagon secretion. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that fetal pig islet tissue has the potential to mature and function normally in a neovascularised site, hence, avoiding the innate immune destruction that occurs when islet tissue is exposed directly to the circulation.
OBJECTIVE: Identifying a limitless source of β-cells that survive transplantation into a neovascularised site and provide normal blood glucose control remains an important goal in the development of pancreatic islet xenotransplantation. It was our hypothesis that fetal porcine pancreas fragments could achieve these objectives, and this was tested in a large preclinical animal model. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Inbred "Westran Pig" fetal porcine pancreas fragments were transplanted beneath the splenic capsule into syngeneic Westran Pig recipients without immunosuppression, and 3 months later, a total native pancreatectomy was performed to demonstrate function. RESULTS: Histologic analysis showed appropriate development of islet-like structures up to and beyond 120 days after transplantation. After native pancreatectomy, recipients survived more than 100 days without exogenous insulin and with normal glucose homeostasis as assessed by normal glucose tolerance tests, K values, and normal glucagon secretion. CONCLUSIONS: This study confirms that fetal pig islet tissue has the potential to mature and function normally in a neovascularised site, hence, avoiding the innate immune destruction that occurs when islet tissue is exposed directly to the circulation.
Authors: Dian R Arifin; Steffi Valdeig; Robert A Anders; Jeff W M Bulte; Clifford R Weiss Journal: Xenotransplantation Date: 2016-05-26 Impact factor: 3.907
Authors: Rebecca A Stokes; Denbigh M Simond; Heather Burns; Anita T Patel; Philip J O'Connell; Jenny E Gunton; Wayne J Hawthorne Journal: Diabetologia Date: 2017-07-21 Impact factor: 10.122