Adhesive Growth of Pancreatic Islet Cells on a Polyglycolic Acid Fibrous Scaffold

• Published in: Transplantation proceedings Vol. 40; no. 5; pp. 1658 - 1663
• Main Authors: Chun, S, Huang, Y, Xie, W.J, Hou, Y, Huang, R.P, Song, Y.M, Liu, X.M, Zheng, W, Shi, Y, Song, C.F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY Elsevier Inc 01-06-2008; Elsevier Science
• Subjects: Animals; Biological and medical sciences; Cell Adhesion - physiology; Cell Culture Techniques - methods; Cell Division - physiology; Cells, Cultured; Diabetes Mellitus - surgery; Female; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Islets of Langerhans - cytology; Islets of Langerhans Transplantation; Male; Medical sciences; Polyglycolic Acid; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Surgery; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Tissue Scaffolds; Tissue, organ and graft immunology; Polyglycolic acid; Medicine; Treatment; Surgery; Langerhans islet; Polymer; Graft; Transplantation; Somatic growth; Adhesive; Cell; Endocrine pancreas
• ISSN: 0041-1345; 1873-2623
• DOI: 10.1016/j.transproceed.2008.02.088

Abstract Background The use of cultured pancreatic islet cells for diabetes treatment offers several advantages. In theory, cultured cells show greater purity and lower immunogenicity. However, cultured islet cells display a low survival rate in vitro. In the present study we grew islet cells on a polyglycolic acid (PGA) fibrous scaffold to promote cell adhesion, growth, and viability during prolonged culture. Methods Islets isolated from Wistar rat pancreata were digested with collagenase and purified by the Ficoll method. Cells were grown in culture with or without PGA scaffolds. Islet cell purity was determined using a dithizone stain; viability and survival rates were determined using an AO-PI stain. The insulin-secretion index was detected using radioimmunodetection and the growth on an adhesive scaffold analyzed using an inverted microscope and scanning electron microscope (SEM). Results In contrast to the scaffold-free control group, cells cultured on PGA scaffolds exhibited improved morphology, less cell death, and prolonged survival times. Cell viability and survival rates were significantly increased in scaffolded cells when compared to control cells ( P < .05). Increased insulin secretion was observed in the culture solution of scaffolded cells following stimulation with low glucose (5.6 mmol/L) versus high glucose (16.7 mmol/L). The secretion indices of the two groups were significantly different ( P < .05). Islet cell growth, as observed under SEM, was tightly circumvolute, adhesive, and three-dimensional. Conclusions The present results demonstrated that islet cells can successfully grow and survive in culture on a PGA scaffold. These cells exhibited enhanced viability, survival, and insulin secretion.