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- Olerud, Johan, et al.
(author)
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Neural crest stem cells increase beta cell proliferation and improve islet function in co-transplanted murine pancreatic islets
- 2009
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In: Diabetologia. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0012-186X .- 1432-0428. ; 52:12, s. 2594-2601
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: Long-term graft survival after islet transplantation to patientswith type 1 diabetes is insufficient, necessitating the development of newstrategies to enhance transplant viability. Here we investigated whetherco-transplantation of neural crest stem cells (NCSCs) with islets improves islet survival and function in normoglycaemic and diabetic mice. METHODS: Islets alone or together with NCSCs were transplanted under the kidney capsule tonormoglycaemic or alloxan-induced diabetic mice. Grafts were analysed for size,proliferation, apoptosis and insulin release. In diabetic recipients bloodglucose levels were examined before and after graft removal. RESULTS: In mixedtransplants NCSCs actively migrated and extensively associated withco-transplanted pancreatic islets. Proliferation of beta cells was markedlyincreased and transplants displayed improved insulin release in normoglycaemicmice compared with those receiving islet-alone transplants. Mixed grafts survivedsuccessfully and partially restored normoglycaemia in alloxan-induced diabeticmice. CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Co-grafting of NCSCs with pancreatic isletsimproved insulin release in mixed transplants and enhanced beta cellproliferation, resulting in increased beta cell mass. This co-transplantationmodel offers an opportunity to restore neural-islet interactions and improveislet functions after transplantation.
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