title: Hepatic stellate cells induce immunotolerance of islet allografts.
abstract: Activated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) possess strong immune inhibitory activity. The present study highlighted the protective role of HSCs in islet transplantation. Recipients were randomly divided into 4 groups: a diabetic group, an HSC-alone group, an islet-alone transplant group, and a cotransplant group. Graft survival was compared among the 4 groups. Serum transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin-1β, and interferon gamma expression levels were measured. The infiltration of lymphocytes was observed via hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemical examinations were performed. Results showed that allogeneic HSCs protect islet allografts better than syngeneic HSCs. There was significant prolonged graft survival and a higher level of TGFβ in the cotransplant group (P < .01). The infiltration of lymphocytes in the cotransplant group was notably less than in the islet-alone group (P < .01). The formation of desmin-positive HSC packages was detected in the cotransplant group. In conclusion, allogeneic HSCs can better prolong the survival of islet allografts by stimulating TGFβ expression and forming a biological capsule around the graft.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Z-Y
authors.initials: ZY
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Z-Q
authors.initials: ZQ
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.affiliation: Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: K-B
authors.initials: KB
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery, Department of Surgery, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: S-C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Shanghai Jiao Tong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai, China. Electronic address: gwzhousfph@gmail.com.
authors.forename: G-W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Zhou
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D016207:Cytokines / Q000378:metabolism; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D055166:Hepatic Stellate Cells / Q000276:immunology*; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D016381:Islets of Langerhans Transplantation; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D016207:Cytokines