Combinations of growth factors enhance the potency of islets in vitro.
OBJECTIVE
Recent studies have demonstrated the impressive expansion of beta cells in vitro. But unfortunately, expanded beta cells do not function in the same way as fully differentiated beta cells. Therefore, we developed a condition that would allow islet cells to proliferate while maintaining their endocrine function.


METHODS
We tested the different use of growth factors in a different culture period. And we tested the possibility of adult islets, which expanded during a short period, as a clinical source of islet cells by comparing the efficiency of transplantation of cultured islets with that of fresh islets.


RESULTS
The islets showed a time-dependent increase in proliferative activity, reaching 32.2% on day 5. After 5 days of culture, the efficiency of transplantation of cultured islets was increased (2-fold) in comparison to that of noncultured islets. Moreover, islet transplantation immediately induced normoglycemia at a level equal to native islets.


CONCLUSIONS
These findings suggest that adult beta cells have the potential to proliferate while maintaining their endocrine function, which can be improved through careful regulation of proliferation and differentiation.
Lim
Jong Yeon
JY
Korea Islet Transplantation Institution Inc, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
Min
Byoung Hoon
BH
Kim
Byoung Geun
BG
Shin
Jun-Seop
JS
Park
Chang Sook
CS
Yoon
Tai Wook
TW
Han
Sung Sik
SS
D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D018929:Cell Culture Techniques; D049109:Cell Proliferation / Q000187:drug effects*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000097:blood / Q000601:surgery; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005260:Female; D005934:Glucagon / Q000378:metabolism; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000166:cytology / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D018613:Microscopy, Confocal; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000378:metabolism; D013997:Time Factors; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin; D013004:Somatostatin; D004815:Epidermal Growth Factor; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D005934:Glucagon