Six-month survival of microencapsulated pig islets and alginate biocompatibility in primates: proof of concept.

Transplantation

Laboratory of Experimental Surgery, Université catholique de Louvain, Faculté de Médecine, and Department of Pathology, Cliniques Universitaires Saint-Luc, Brussels, Belgium.

Published: May 2006

AI Article Synopsis

  • The study investigates the long-term compatibility of alginate-encapsulated pig islets in primates, given the immune response challenges associated with xenotransplantation.
  • Results show that well-encapsulated pig islets had a notable survival rate of up to 6 months post-transplant in primates, while poorly encapsulated or non-encapsulated islets were quickly destroyed.
  • Despite an immune response, optimal encapsulation allowed for some pig islet functionality, indicated by insulin production and responsiveness to glucose.

Article Abstract

Background: Pig islets xenotransplantation remains associated with a strong humoral and cellular xenogeneic immune responses. The aim of this study was to assess the long-term biocompatibility of alginate encapsulated pig islets after transplantation in primates.

Methods: Adult pig islets encapsulated in alginate under optimal conditions (n=7) or not (n=5) were transplanted under the kidney capsule of nondiabetic Cynomolgus maccacus. Additional primates received empty capsules (n=1) and nonencapsulated pig islets (n=2) as controls. Capsule integrity, cellular overgrowth, pig islet survival, porcine C-peptide and anti-pig IgM/IgG antibodies were examined up to 6 months after implantation.

Results: Nonencapsulated islets and islets encapsulated in nonoptimal capsules were rapidly destroyed. In seven primates receiving perfectly encapsulated pig islets, part of the islets survived up to 6 months after implantation without immunosuppression. Porcine C-peptide was detected after 1 month in 71% of the animals. The majority of grafts (86%) were intact and completely free of cellular overgrowth or capsule fibrosis. Explanted capsules, after 135 (n=2/2) and 180 (n=2/3) days, demonstrated residual insulin content and responses to glucose challenge (stimulation index of 2.2). Partial islet survival was obtained despite an elicited anti-pig IgG humoral response.

Conclusions: Optimal alginate encapsulation significantly prolonged adult pig islet survival into primates for up to 6 months, even in the presence of antibody response.

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Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.tp.0000208610.75997.20DOI Listing

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