Impaired revascularization of transplanted mouse pancreatic islets is chronic and glucose-independent.
BACKGROUND
Pancreatic islets are avascular immediately after transplantation and depend on revascularization. Recently, the authors found decreased vascular density in mouse islets 1 month after implantation into nondiabetic recipients. This study investigated possible differences in revascularization between islets implanted into nondiabetic and diabetic recipients, and also evaluated changes in vascular density up to 6 months posttransplantation.


METHODS
Islets were syngenically transplanted beneath the renal capsule of normoglycemic or alloxan-diabetic C57BL/6 mice. One to 6 months later, the animals were killed and the grafts removed. Histologic slides were prepared and stained with Bandeiraea simplicifolia.


RESULTS
The vascular density in all transplanted islets was decreased compared with native islets. There were no differences in the islet graft vascular density between nondiabetic and diabetic animals. No improvement over time occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
The vascular density is decreased in islets implanted to cure diabetic recipients. No improvement occurs in transplanted islets after 1 month posttransplantation.
Mattsson
Göran
G
Department of Medical Cell Biology, Biomedical Center, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. goran.mattsson@medcellbiol.uu.se.
Jansson
Leif
L
Nordin
Astrid
A
Carlsson
Per-Ola
PO
D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000601:surgery*; D005947:Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000098:blood supply*; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D018919:Neovascularization, Physiologic; D011184:Postoperative Period; D012016:Reference Values; D013997:Time Factors
D005947:Glucose