The Effect of Scaffold on the Morphology and Insulin Secretion of Islet Cells

Abstract

Pancreas islet transplantation is established as a therapeutic option for diabetes. In vitro culture of islets is pivotal, because islet cells often lose their function during culture prior to transplantation. To improve culture and maintain insulin secretion, we focused on the extracellular matrix (ECM). The islet cells were cultured on several ECMs, and we observed their morphology and measured their insulin release in response to changing glucose levels. The cells grown on collagen I and collagen IV were not sharp and had high insulin release, but the cells on non-coat polystyrene and fibronectin were sharp and their insulin release was decreased. These results show that sharpness in cell morphology was related to insulin release, and cells grown on laminin were sharp and showed high level insulin secretion.