Morphological and functional studies on microencapsulated human fetal pancreatic tissue.
Fifty human fetal pancreases of 4-6 months gestation obtained from legal abortions were microencapsulated with alginate, poly-lysine after culture for 4-7 days. The microcapsules were studied morphologically and functionally. Immunocytochemical staining for insulin indicated B-cells were morphologically intact at 48 days. Insulin and C-peptide of the culture medium measured with radioimmuno-assay (RIA) showed that the microcapsules still retained the function of insulin secretion after culture for 25 days. There was no statistical difference when compared with noncapsulated tissues. No exocrine function was detected as evidenced by the amylase determination. We conclude that microencapsulated human fetal pancreatic tissues retain viability in culture for more than 25 days and can be used as transplants in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
Yang
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Wu
Z G
ZG
D000681:Amylases / Q000378:metabolism; D002214:Capsules; D046508:Culture Techniques; D005333:Fetus; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D010179:Pancreas / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism*; D014022:Tissue Survival
D002214:Capsules; D007328:Insulin; D000681:Amylases