title: Tracing of islet graft survival by way of in vivo fluorescence imaging.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To increase the success rate in xenogeneic islet transplantation, proper assessment of graft mass is required following transplantation. For this reason, we aimed to develop a suitable fluorescence imaging system to monitor islet xenograft survival in diabetic mice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Adenovirus vector encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein-transduced rat pancreatic islets were transplanted under the renal capsule of streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and the fluorescence signal was quantified over time using a cooled charge-coupled device. Non-fasting blood glucose levels were recorded during the same period. Insulin release from transduced and control islets was detected via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Adenovirus vector encoding enhanced green fluorescent protein infection did not alter the function or survival of pancreatic islets post transduction. A direct correlation was found between the number of islets (250-750) transplanted under the kidney capsule and the blood glucose recovery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fluorescence imaging appears to be a useful tool for quantitative assessment of islet cell viability post transplantation and could permit earlier detection of graft rejection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Biology and Genetics, Human Gene and Cell Therapy Center of Akdeniz University Hospitals and Clinics, Antalya 07058, Turkey.
authors.forename: Sevim
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kahraman
authors.forename: Ercument
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dirice
authors.forename: Fatma Z
authors.initials: FZ
authors.lastname: Hapil
authors.forename: Mustafa G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ertosun
authors.forename: Saffet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ozturk
authors.forename: Thomas S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Griffith
authors.forename: Salih
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sanlioglu
authors.forename: Ahter D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Sanlioglu
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics; D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002470:Cell Survival; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental; D005260:Female; D005453:Fluorescence; D006085:Graft Survival / Q000502:physiology*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014183:Transplantation, Heterologous
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; C485184:enhanced green fluorescent protein; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins