Neural precursors from canine skin: a new direction for testing autologous cell replacement in the brain.

Recent work indicates that neural progenitors can be isolated from the skin of rodents and humans. The persistence of these cells in accessible adult tissue raises the possibility of their exploitation for research and therapeutic purposes. This study reports on the derivation, culture, and characterization of homogenous canine skin-derived neuroprecursor cells (SKiNPs) from mature animals.

Differentiation of encapsulated embryonic stem cells after transplantation.

Background: Embryonic stem cells (ESC) when transplanted into recipients with different major histocompatibility antigens may be rejected, especially as cells differentiate and expression of these antigens increases. One method to prevent rejection is to place the developing ESC in microcapsules. It is currently unknown what effect encapsulation has on the ability of ESC to differentiate.

Comparison of size, viability, and function of fetal pig islet-like cell clusters after digestion using collagenase or liberase.

Liberase is a highly purified blend of collagenases that has been specifically developed to eliminate the numerous problems associated with the conventional use of crude collagenase when isolating islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) from pancreases of different species. The influence of Liberase on yield, size, viability, and function of ICCs has been documented when this enzyme was used to digest adult but not fetal pancreases. In this study, we compared the effects of collagenase and Liberase on fetal pig ICCs.

Effect of immunosuppressive doses of cyclosporine on pancreatic beta cell function in pigs.

Objective: To evaluate whether immunosuppressive doses of cyclosporine (CsA) have an adverse effect on the liver, kidney, and pancreatic beta cells of pigs.

Animals: 8 juvenile 8-week-old Landrace X Large White crossbred pigs.

Procedure: CsA (100 to 140 mg/kg) was administered orally to euglycemic pigs to reach whole blood trough concentrations of approximately 1500 ng/mL.