Transduction of heme oxygenase-1 gene to human Islet cells via adenovirus vector enhances anti-apoptosis function and insulin release

Abstract

To investigate the effects of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) gene on human islets in vitro, and to explore the potential value of gene therapy in clinical islet transplantation. Adenovirus vector carrying human HO-1 gene (Ad-HO-1) or EGPF (Ad-EGFP) were established respectively. Human cadaveric pancreases were isolated, purified, cultured, and divided into 3 groups to be transfected with Ad-HO-1, Ad-EGFP or blank vector. Human tumor necrosis factor and cyclohexamide (CHX) were added into the culture fluid of the pancreatic islets. 48 hours later the pancreatic islets were digested into single cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis. Glucose of the concentration of 16.7 mmol/L was added into the culture fluid of the 3 groups of islet cells. After 1-hour co-incubation radioimmunochemistry was used to detect the level of insulin in the supernatant. After stimulation of glucose the insulin concentration in the supernatant of the Ad-HO-1 group was 270 mIU/L +/- 89 mIU/L, significantly higher than those of the Ad-EGFP group (189 mIU/L +/- 88 mIU/L) and control group (182 mIU/L +/- 59 mIU/L, both P < 0.05). The apoptotic ratio of the Ad-HO-1 group was 63.1% +/- 10.9%, significantly lower than that of the control group (90.9% +/- 11.3%, P < 0.01) after treatment with TNFalpha and CHX. Transfection of Ad-HO-1 into human islets improves anti-apoptotic function in cultured human islets and promotes insulin release of human pancreatic islets.