Open AccessGrowing Trans‐Species Islets in Tumor Extract‐Remodeled Testicles
Author(s) -
Wang Zhenzhen,
Rui Xiaying,
Qiu Junni,
Yan Yiqing,
Gan Jingjing,
Liu Shang,
Wang Lintao,
Zhang Junfeng,
Wang Chunming,
Dong Lei
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
advanced science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 5.388
H-Index - 100
ISSN - 2198-3844
DOI - 10.1002/advs.201801694
Subject(s) - islet , testicle , transplantation , pancreatic islets , biology , beta cell , endocrinology , inflammation , medicine , insulinoma , cancer research , diabetes mellitus , pancreas
Although pancreatic islet transplantation holds promise for the treatment of type I diabetes, its application has been significantly hampered by transplant rejection. Here, an approach is demonstrated to support trans‐species islet beta cells from a rat to grow and function in the body of a mouse host while overcoming graft rejection. This approach, which builds on remodeling of the mouse testicle by local injection of a tumor homogenate, establishes an immunosuppressive and proregenerative niche in the testicle. This remodeling proves necessary and effective in shaping the testicle into a unique site to accommodate xenograft cells. Rat pancreatic beta cells—from both the insulinoma (cancer cells) and pancreatic islet (normal tissue)—survive, grow, and form a desirable morphology in the remodeled mouse testicle. Notably, when hyperglycemia is induced in the host body, these xenografts secrete insulin to regulate the blood glucose level in mice for as long as 72 days. Furthermore, no graft rejection, acute inflammation, or safety risks are observed throughout the study. In summary, it is demonstrated that the growth of xenogeneic insulinoma cells in a mouse testicle might serve as an alternative approach for islet transplantation.