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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http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.tp.0000208610.75997.20 | DOI Listing |
Transpl Int
January 2025
Pôle de Chirurgie Expérimentale et Transplantation, Université Catholique de Louvain, Brussels, Belgium.
Clinical pancreatic islet xenotransplantation will most probably rely on genetically modified pigs as donors. Several lines of transgenic pigs carrying one and more often, multiple modifications already exist. The vast majority of these modifications aim to mitigate the host immune response by suppressing major xeno-antigens, or expressing immunomodulatory molecules that act locally at the graft site.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTranspl Int
December 2024
Molecular Animal Breeding and Biotechnology, Gene Center and Department of Veterinary Sciences, LMU Munich, Munich, Germany.
Xenotransplantation of porcine organs has made remarkable progress towards clinical application. A key factor has been the generation of genetically multi-modified source pigs for xenotransplants, protected against immune rejection and coagulation dysregulation. While efficient gene editing tools and multi-cistronic expression cassettes facilitate sophisticated and complex genetic modifications with multiple gene knockouts and protective transgenes, an increasing number of independently segregating genetic units complicates the breeding of the source pigs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEJNMMI Res
December 2024
Department of Medical Cell Biology, Department of Medical Sciences, Science for Life Laboratory, Uppsala University, Box 571, 75123, Uppsala, Sweden.
Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease characterized by a progressive β-cell destruction. There are no clinically established methods for quantifying endocrine cells of the pancreas and current knowledge is almost exclusively based on autopsy material and functional measurements. Based on the expression of the γ-aminobutyric acid A receptors (GABARs) in pancreatic islets and the fact that GABAR agonists are being explored as treatment for T1D, we hypothesized that the positron emission tomography (PET) tracer [C]flumazenil ([C]FMZ) could serve as a marker of the endocrine mass of the pancreas.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Transplant
November 2024
Isla Technologies, Inc, San Carlos, California, USA. Electronic address:
In this study using a discordant, xenogeneic, transplant model we demonstrate the functionality and safety of the first stent-based bioartificial pancreas (BAP) device implanted endovascularly into an artery, harnessing the high oxygen content in blood to support islet viability. The device is a self-expanding nitinol stent that is coated with a bilayer of polytetrafluoroethylene that forms channels to hold islets embedded in a hydrogel. We completed a 1-month study in the nondiabetic swine model (N = 3) to test the safety of the device and to assess islet functionality after device recovery.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTranspl Int
November 2024
Clinic Unit of Regenerative Medicine and Organ Transplants and Diabetes Research Institute, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Carattere Scientifico (IRCCS) Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy.
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