Complement permeability in bio-artificial endocrine pancreas using a diffusion chamber.
Immunoisolation is a potentially important approach to transplanting islets without any immunosuppressive therapy. This study was designed to investigate whether complement penetrates into the diffusion chamber that we developed for a bioartificial endocrine pancreas (Bio-AEP). The results showed that within 12-24 h, when a Nuclepore membrane (Nuclepore Corp., California) was the sole barrier, complement permeated 100%. However, the Nuclepore membrane used together with a mixed matrix prevented complement penetration. Also, the complement become inactivated during penetration through both the mixed matrix and the Nuclepore membrane with a pore size of 0.1 microm. In conclusion, immunoisolation of cells by a mixed matrix and a Nuclepore membrane of 0.1 microm pore size is a particularly effective method for transplanting xenogeneic cells. Thus, the clinical application of our Bio-AEP shows promise for long-term xenotransplantation without an immunosuppressant.
Department of Surgery III, Tokyo Women's Medical College, Japan.
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Hirotani
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Ohgawara
D003176:Complement C3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D004058:Diffusion; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000378:metabolism*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D019397:Pancreas, Artificial; D010539:Permeability
D003176:Complement C3; D008567:Membranes, Artificial