Retrieval of Microencapsulated Islet Grafts for Post-transplant Evaluation

Methods Mol Biol. 2017:1479:157-171. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4939-6364-5_12.

Abstract

Microencapsulation of islets is a procedure used to immunoisolate islets in order to obviate the need for immunosuppression of islet transplant recipients. Although microencapsulated islets have routinely been transplanted in the peritoneal cavity, the ideal site for their engraftment remains to be determined. The omentum, a highly vascularized tissue, has been proposed as an alternative site for microencapsulated islet transplantation. An added benefit to the omentum is that implanted microcapsules can be easily retrieved for post-transplant evaluation. This chapter describes a collagenase-based procedure for the retrieval of microencapsulated islets following the harvest of omentum pouch site of transplantation.

Keywords: Alginate; Islets; Microencapsulation; Omentum; Transplantation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Alginates / chemistry
  • Animals
  • Capsules / chemistry
  • Cell Survival
  • Cells, Immobilized / cytology*
  • Cells, Immobilized / metabolism
  • Cells, Immobilized / transplantation
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / therapy*
  • Drug Compounding
  • Graft Survival
  • Insulin / metabolism
  • Islets of Langerhans / cytology*
  • Islets of Langerhans / metabolism
  • Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / methods*
  • Mice
  • Omentum / surgery*
  • Rats

Substances

  • Alginates
  • Capsules
  • Insulin