Preculturing Islets With Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells Is an Effective Strategy for Improving Transplantation Efficiency at the Clinically Preferred Intraportal Site.

We have recently shown that preculturing islets with kidney-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) improves transplantation outcome in streptozotocin-diabetic mice implanted with a minimal mass of islets beneath the kidney capsule. In the present study, we have extended our previous observations to investigate whether preculturing islets with MSCs can also be used to enhance islet function at the clinically used intraportal site. We have used MSCs derived from adipose tissue, which are more readily accessible than alternative sources in human subjects and can be expanded to clinically efficacious numbers, to preculture islets throughout this study.