An investigation of immunoprotecting mechanism of macroencapsulated pancreatic islet xenograft
Yang, H.; Zhang, P.; Zhang, C.
Hua Xi Yi Ke da Xue Xue Bao 30(1): 34-36
1999
ISSN/ISBN: 0257-7712 PMID: 12205917 Document Number: 498866
Macroencapsulated islet xenografts in agarose are able to prevent rejection. This study was conducted to shed light on the immunoprotecting mechanism of macroencapsulated islet xenografts in agarose. There were four groups (n = 5 in each group): (1) macroencapsulated islet xenografts in agarose; (2) nonencapsulated islet xenografts; (3) agarose macroeencapsule without islet; (4) syngenic pancreatic islets. Mixed lymphocyte islet culture (MLIC) was used in the experiment. The results showed that stimulating index (SI) of MLIC and IL-2 level in the macroencapsulated islet xenografts in agarose group were similar to those of syngenic pancreatic islets group. The SI and IL-2 levels of nonencapsulated islet xenograft group were significant higher than those in macroencapsulated islet xenografts in agarose group and syngenic pancreatic islets group. These indicate that macroencapsulation is capable of reducing the immunogenicity of islet xenograft, and it is presumable that macroencapsulated islet xenografts in agarose be not recognized by the recipient's immune system because of being separated by the selectively permeable membrane made with agarose.