title: Islets from rats and pigs transgenic for photogenic proteins.
abstract: Translational research is necessary for the development of efficient experimental animal models that can be used to develop innovative medical treatments, such as improvements in organ or tissue transplantation. We have developed animal models that produce photogenic proteins in their islet cells: rats models expressing the gene for luciferase or green fluorescent protein (GFP), and pig models expressing the gene for GFP or Kusabira-Orange. We also developed methods for preserving isolated islets in culture and showed that the fluorescence of the islets remains at usable levels for at least seven days. These models will enable transplanted islets to be visualized without the need for chemical reactions, and will be useful for research on the biology of islets as well as for the development of new transplantation methods.
authors.affiliation: Division of Development Advanced Therapy, Center for Development of Advanced Medical Technology, Jichi Medical University, 3311-1, Yakushiji, Shimotsukeshi, Tochigi, 329-0498, Japan.
authors.forename: Takumi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Teratani
authors.forename: Hitomi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Matsunari
authors.forename: Naoya
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Kasahara
authors.forename: Hiroshi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nagashima
authors.forename: Tatsuo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawarasaki
authors.forename: Eiji
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kobayashi
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D030801:Animals, Genetically Modified; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000628:therapy*; D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000378:metabolism*; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D008156:Luciferases / Q000378:metabolism; D049408:Luminescent Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008163:Luminescent Measurements; D008164:Luminescent Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D023421:Models, Animal; D051381:Rats / Q000235:genetics; D013552:Swine / Q000235:genetics; D057170:Translational Research, Biomedical / Q000639:trends; D000097573:Red Fluorescent Protein
chemical_list: D049452:Green Fluorescent Proteins; D008156:Luciferases; D049408:Luminescent Agents; D008164:Luminescent Proteins; D000097573:Red Fluorescent Protein