title: Formation of insulin-secreting, Sertoli-enriched tissue constructs by microgravity coculture of isolated pig islets and rat Sertoli cells.
abstract: Pancreatic islets, isolated from neonatal pigs, and Sertoli cells, isolated from prepubertal rats, were cocultured in simulated microgravity utilizing the NASA-developed highly accelerating, rotating vessel (HARV) biochamber. Following 5 d of incubation, three-dimensional Sertoli-islet cell aggregates (SICA) retained the ability to secrete insulin when exposed to elevated glucose. SICA contained FasL-positive Sertoli cells and insulin-positive beta-cells randomly organized within the spherical construct. The addition of 1% Matrigel induced the reorganization of aggregates (SICAs formed in the presence of Matrigel [SICAmgs]) showing the peripherialization and epithelialization of Sertoli cells and the centralization of islets in association with lumen-like spaces. The Sertoli cells, but not Matrigel, aided in preserving the structural integrity of HARV-incubated islets. Neither Matrigel nor Sertoli cells appeared to interfere with the ability of SICA or SICA mg to secrete insulin and express FasL.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy, University of South Florida College of Medicine, Tampa 33612, USA. dcameron@hsc.usf.edu
authors.forename: D F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Cameron
authors.forename: J J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Hushen
authors.forename: S J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Nazian
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D019149:Bioreactors; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D012708:Sertoli Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D013552:Swine; D023822:Tissue Engineering; D014481:United States; D018557:United States National Aeronautics and Space Administration; D018474:Weightlessness Simulation
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D005947:Glucose