Journal Article

Mesenchymal Stem Cells Enhance Allogeneic Islet Engraftment in Nonhuman Primates

Han, Dongmei, Karl, Julie A., Cabrera, Over, O'Connor, David H., Kleiner, Gary, Berman, Dora M., Kenyon, Norman M., Kenyon, Norma S., Wiseman, Roger W., Bartholomew, Amelia M., Willman, Melissa A.

2010

Overview

To test the graft-promoting effects of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in a cynomolgus monkey model of islet/bone marrow transplantation. Cynomolgus MSCs were obtained from iliac crest aspirate and characterized through passage 11 for phenotype, gene expression, differentiation potential, and karyotype. Allogeneic donor MSCs were cotransplanted intraportally with islets on postoperative day (POD) 0 and intravenously with donor marrow on PODs 5 and 11. Recipients were followed for stabilization of blood glucose levels, reduction of exogenous insulin requirement (EIR), C-peptide levels, changes in peripheral blood T regulatory cells, and chimerism. Destabilization of glycemia and increases in EIR were used as signs of rejection; additional intravenous MSCs were administered to test the effect on reversal of rejection. MSC phenotype and a normal karyotype were observed through passage 11. IL-6, IL-10, vascular endothelial growth factor, TGF-β, hepatocyte growth factor, and galectin-1 gene expression levels varied among donors. MSC treatment significantly enhanced islet engraftment and function at 1 month posttransplant (n = 8), as compared with animals that received islets without MSCs (n = 3). Additional infusions of donor or third-party MSCs resulted in reversal of rejection episodes and prolongation of islet function in two animals. Stable islet allograft function was associated with increased numbers of regulatory T-cells in peripheral blood. MSCs may provide an important approach for enhancement of islet engraftment, thereby decreasing the numbers of islets needed to achieve insulin independence. Furthermore, MSCs may serve as a new, safe, and effective antirejection therapy.

• Publisher: American Diabetes Association
• Subject: Animals / Antigens, CD - analysis / Biological and medical sciences / Blood Glucose - metabolism / Bone marrow / Bone marrow transplantation / Cell Differentiation / Cell transplantation / Cells / Culture Media / Cynomolgus / Cytogenetics / Cytokines / Diabetes / Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - blood / Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental - surgery / Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance / Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases) / Endocrinopathies / Epidermal Growth Factor - genetics / Etiopathogenesis. Screening. Investigations. Target tissue resistance / Forkhead Transcription Factors - analysis / Galectin 1 - genetics / Gene expression / Glucose / Hepatocyte Growth Factor - genetics / Histocompatibility Antigens Class II - analysis / Histocompatibility Testing / Immunology and Transplantation / Insulin / Interleukins - genetics / Islands of Langerhans / Islets of Langerhans / Islets of Langerhans Transplantation - physiology / Karyotyping / Macaca fascicularis - immunology / Macaca fascicularis - physiology / Major Histocompatibility Complex / Medical sciences / Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation - methods / Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - cytology / Mesenchymal Stromal Cells - physiology / Methods / Monkeys & apes / Peptides / Phenotype / Primates / Properties / Research design / RNA - genetics / RNA - isolation & purification / Stem cells / Third party / Transforming Growth Factor beta - genetics / Transplantation / Transplantation, Homologous / Transplants & implants / Vascular endothelial growth factor