title: Isolation, banking, encapsulation and transplantation of different types of Langerhans islets.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The discovery of a cure for diabetes is a dream of many medical researchers. The transplantation of Langerhans islets is a potential treatment of choice for patients with type 1 diabetes as a source of endogenous insulin for the recipient.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the experiment was to transplant Langerhans islets without immunosuppression. To protect the grafts against transplant rejection, semipermeable membranes could be used.
  
  
  METHODS
  Langerhans islets were isolated from rats and pigs and immunoisolated by encapsulation in alginate-protamine-heparin (APH) or alginate-poly-L-lysine-alginate (APA) membranes. Islets were pooled in a controlled manner. Tests for cryopreservation and biocompatibility were also performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The capsules coated with APH are more resistant than the capsules coated with APA. After transplantation of the islets immunoisolated with APA, euglycemia is maintained longer than after transplantation of the islets immunoisolated with APH. Microencapsulation protects the islets from destruction by the host.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is feasible to treat experimental diabetes by transplantation of encapsulated Langerhans islets without immunosuppression.
authors: Institute of Biocybernetics and Biomedical Engineering, Polish Academy of Sciences, Warszawa, Poland. magdalena.antosiak@ibib.waw.pl
authors: Magdalena
authors: M
authors: Antosiak-Iwańska
authors: Elzbieta
authors: E
authors: Sitarek
authors: Marek
authors: M
authors: Sabat
authors: Ewa
authors: E
authors: Godlewska
authors: Joanna
authors: J
authors: Kinasiewicz
authors: Andrzej
authors: A
authors: Weryński
mesh_terms: D000464:Alginates; D000818:Animals; D002214:Capsules; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000601:surgery*; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000276:immunology; D006493:Heparin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000276:immunology*; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000276:immunology / Q000379:methods*; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011107:Polylysine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D051381:Rats; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D002214:Capsules; D020099:Coated Materials, Biocompatible; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; C051546:alginate-polylysine-alginate; D011107:Polylysine; D006493:Heparin