Canine Islets in an Ultrafiltered Environment

Molecular sieve membranes can protect pancreatic islets against immune recognition in diabetic patients treated by endocrine tissue replacement. These biocompatible membranes permit the passage of small peptides such as insulin, and preclude the diffusion of immunoglobulins and immunogenic molecules. However, the tissue must function indefinitely in an ultrafiltered environment determined by the sequestering membranes. The chronic perifusion of canine islet tissue was compared in ultrafiltered and microfiltered chambers. The biphasic pattern of insulin release by similar numbers of islets from the same pancreas preparation was not significantly different when tissue was cultured in a micro or an ultrafiltered environment. The cumulative insulin output of the two systems was quite similar over 3 days of culture. Canine islet tissue can be sustained in an ultrafiltered environment with maintenance of insulin release to glucose stimulation, which is quantitatively similar to islet tissue maintained in chronic perifusion without ultrafiltration.