title: Real-time bioluminescence imaging of macroencapsulated fibroblasts reveals allograft protection in rhesus monkeys (Macaca mulatta).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Encapsulation of cells has the potential to eliminate the need for immunosuppression for cellular transplantation. Recently, the TheraCyte device was shown to provide long-term immunoprotection of murine islets in a mouse model of diabetes. In this report, translational studies were undertaken using skin fibroblasts from an unrelated rhesus monkey donor that were transduced with an HIV-1-derived lentiviral vector expressing firefly luciferase permitting the use of bioluminescence imaging (BLI) to monitor cell survival over time and in a noninvasive manner.
  
  
  METHODS
  Encapsulated cells were transplanted subcutaneously (n=2), or cells were injected without encapsulation (n=1) and outcomes compared. BLI was performed to monitor cell survival.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The BLI signal from the encapsulated cells remained robust postinsertion and in one animal persisted for up to 1 year. In contrast, the control animal that received unencapsulated cells exhibited a complete loss of cell signal within 14 days.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These data demonstrate that TheraCyte encapsulation of allogeneic cells provides robust immune protection in transplanted rhesus monkeys.
authors: Center of Excellence in Translational Human Stem Cell Research, California National Primate Research Center, Davis, CA 95616-8542, USA. aftarantal@primate.ucdavis.edu
authors: Alice F
authors: AF
authors: Tarantal
authors: C Chang I
authors: CC
authors: Lee
authors: Pamela
authors: P
authors: Itkin-Ansari
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002470:Cell Survival; D017690:Cell Transplantation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D005347:Fibroblasts / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism / Q000637:transplantation*; D017930:Genes, Reporter; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics; D049409:Luciferases, Firefly / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008253:Macaca mulatta; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors; D014161:Transduction, Genetic; D023001:Transplantation Tolerance; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
chemical_list: D049409:Luciferases, Firefly