Distributions of endocrine cell clusters during porcine pancreatic development.

Background: Pancreatic islet xenotransplantation is a potential treatment for diabetes mellitus, and porcine pancreas may provide a readily available source of islets. Islets in juvenile pigs are smaller than those in young adult pigs, but the insulin content is very similar. In addition, as juvenile pigs are more easily reared in uncontaminated conditions, many researchers have conducted studies using pancreatic islets from juvenile pigs.

Effectiveness of bioengineered islet cell sheets for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate whether bioengineered mouse islet cell sheets can be used for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

Methods: Isolated mouse pancreatic islets were dispersed, and cells were plated on temperature-responsive culture plates coated with iMatrix-551. On day 3 of culture, the sheets were detached from the plates and used for further analysis or transplantation.