Adult human pancreatic endocrine cells in culture. Insulin and glucagon release and influence of cold storage
Yasunami, Y.; Takaki, R.; Fukuma, M.; Okeda, T.; Konomi, K.
Journal of Laboratory and Clinical Medicine 98(2): 173-180
1981
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-2143 PMID: 6166697 Document Number: 177173
Adult human pancreatic tissue was minced and digested with collagenase. Resulting cell clusters, including both exocrine and endocrine components, were suspended in the medium and inoculated into 35 mm Petri dishes. Viable cell clusters became spherical 4 or 5 hr after inoculation and attached to the bottom of the dish within 24 hr. They spread out to form a pavementlike epithelial cell sheet by the seventh day of culture. Insulin and glucagon release were determined on the culture day 3. Insulin release stimulated by 500 mg/dl glucose, 10 mM theophylline, and 200 micrograms/ml tolbutamide was increased 1.5- to 3.7-fold in comparison with that stimulated by 100 mg/dl glucose. A 20 mM arginine concentration did not affect insulin release. Glucagon release, stimulated by 10 mM theophylline and 20 mM arginine, showed 1.7- to 2.7-fold increase and was suppressed significantly by 500 mg/dl glucose. Tolbutamide did not affect glucagon release significantly. Ultrastructural studies demonstrated that islet cells were preserved excellently. Chopped pancreatic tissue could be stored at 4 degrees C for at least 12 hr, with retention of normal following subsequent in vitro culture of islet cells.