The effect of extracellular matrix components on the preservation of human islet function in vitro

• Published in: Biomaterials Vol. 31; no. 7; pp. 1676 - 1682
• Main Authors: Daoud, Jamal, Petropavlovskaia, Maria, Rosenberg, Lawrence, Tabrizian, Maryam
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier Ltd 01.03.2010
• Subjects: Adhesiveness - drug effects; Advanced Basic Science; Biological Assay; Cell Survival - drug effects; Cells, Cultured; Coated Materials, Biocompatible - pharmacology; Dentistry; Diabetes; Extracellular Matrix; Extracellular Matrix Proteins - pharmacology; Gene Expression Regulation - drug effects; Glucose - pharmacology; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Islet; Islet viability and functionality; Islets of Langerhans - cytology; Islets of Langerhans - drug effects; Islets of Langerhans - physiology; Islets of Langerhans - ultrastructure; Microscopy, Atomic Force; Surface modification; Surface Properties - drug effects; Surface modification; Islet viability and functionality; Islet; Diabetes; Extracellular Matrix
• DOI: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2009.11.057
• ISSN: 0142-9612

Abstract Human islet isolation leads to the loss of the ECM basement membrane which contributes to eventual apoptosis in vitro . The reestablishment of this environment is vital in understanding the mechanism of islet interaction with its surroundings in order to arrive at conditions favourable to islet culture in vitro . In this study, we investigated the effects of the main ECM components collagen I and IV, fibronectin, and laminin on human islet adhesion, survival, and functionality. Results have provided insight into integrin-mediated effects and behaviour. Collagen I/IV and fibronectin induced adhesion, while fibronectin was the only ECM protein capable of maintaining islet structural integrity and insulin content distribution. Furthermore, islet phenotype was eventually lost, but insulin gene expression was highest in islets cultured on collagen I and IV. However, insulin release was highest on fibronectin, along with a decrease in SUR1 expression, while glucose metabolism, along with GLUT2 and GCK expression, was highest on collagen I and IV surfaces. These findings provide a basis for the future establishment of a modified three-dimensional construct for the culture of human pancreatic islets in vitro.