Abstract
Abstract: For almost 15 years microencapsulated islets have been successfully transplanted in different animal models. Besides long‐lasting success, a certain rate of graft failures also has been reported. This study evaluated the cellular immune response toward alginate‐polylysine microencapsulated islets (mc‐islets) in vitro by means of mixed‐lymphocyte‐islet‐culture. Method: Islets were isolated from LEWIS‐rats and lymphocytes from the spleens of NMRl‐mice. After overnight culture and prior to encapsulation the islets were gamma‐irradiated with 22.5 Gy. 50 mc‐islets, 50 nonencapsulated islets, and 50 empty me were co‐cultured for 72 h with 1 × 106 in 1 ml medium in 24‐well plates. Thymidine incorporation during the last 24 hr served as a measure for lymphoid activation. Result: Non‐encapsulated islets were potent stimulators of lymphoid proliferation. This could be reduced by 55% when the islets were entrapped in microcapsules. Empty microcapsules induced a minor lymphoid activation (18% of mc‐islets) only. Conclusion: Despite encapsulation islets could be recognised by lymphocytes in vitro. This may explain at least partially graft failure rates after transplantation of encapsulated islets.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
