Validation of methodologies for quantifying isolated human islets: an islet cell resources study

• Published in: Clinical transplantation Vol. 24; no. 2; pp. 236 - 242
• Main Authors: Kissler, H.J., Niland, J.C., Olack, B., Ricordi, C., Hering, B.J., Naji, A., Kandeel, F., Oberholzer, J., Fernandez, L., Contreras, J., Stiller, T., Sowinski, J., Kaufman, D.B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford, UK Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2010; Wiley
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Cell Separation - methods; Cell Size; Delphi Technique; Flow Cytometry; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Fundamental immunology; Humans; image analysis; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods; Islets of Langerhans; Islets of Langerhans - cytology; Islets of Langerhans Transplantation - methods; Medical sciences; quality control; Reproducibility of Results; Surgery (general aspects). Transplantations, organ and tissue grafts. Graft diseases; Tissue, organ and graft immunology; Human capital; Methodology; Langerhans islet; Transplantation; Medicine; Test validation; Image analysis; Treatment; Surgery; Quality control; Isolated cell; Graft; Islets of Langerhans; Endocrine pancreas; Quantitative analysis
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1399-0012.2009.01052.x
• ISSN: 0902-0063

Kissler HJ, Niland JC, Olack B, Ricordi C, Hering B J, Naji A, Kandeel F, Oberholzer J, Fernandez L, Contreras J, Stiller T, Sowinski J, Kaufman DB. Validation of methodologies for quantifying isolated human islets: an islet cell resources study.
Clin Transplant 2009 DOI: 10.1111/j.1399‐0012.2009.01052.x.
© 2009 John Wiley & Sons A/S. :  Background:  Quantification of islet mass is a crucial criterion for defining the quality of the islet product ensuring a potent islet transplant when used as a therapeutic intervention for select patients with type I diabetes. Methods:  This multi‐center study involved all eight member institutions of the National Institutes of Health‐supported Islet Cell Resources Consortium. The study was designed to validate the standard counting procedure for quantifying isolated, dithizone‐stained human islets as a reliable methodology by ascertaining the accuracy, repeatability (intra‐observer variability), and intermediate precision (inter‐observer variability). The secondary aim of the study was to evaluate a new software‐assisted digital image analysis method as a supplement for islet quantification. Results:  The study demonstrated the accuracy, repeatability and intermediate precision of the standard counting procedure for isolated human islets. This study also demonstrated that software‐assisted digital image analysis as a supplemental method for islet quantification was more accurate and consistent than the standard manual counting method. Conclusions:  Standard counting procedures for enumerating isolated stained human islets is a valid methodology, but computer‐assisted digital image analysis assessment of islet mass has the added benefit of providing a permanent record of the isolated islet product being evaluated that improves quality assurance operations of current good manufacturing practice.