A Coculture Model of Intrahepatic Islet Transplantation: Activation of Kupffer Cells by Islets and Acinar Tissue.

Clinical and experimental studies of intrahepatic islet transplantation have allowed histological and systemic observations to be made, but the location of the transplanted islets makes it difficult to assess direct effects on the cells of the liver. An in vitro coculture model of Kupffer cells with islets or pancreatic acinar tissue is described, using porcine tissue and measuring the secretion of thromboxane B, prostaglandin E, 6-keto-prostaglandin F, and prostaglandin F as an indicator of Kupffer cell stimulation. The results have demonstrated activation of Kupffer cells in the presence of acinar or islet tissue, both when the cells were in direct contact and when separated by a membrane.