Abstract
Ricordi et al. described a hepatotrophic effect mediated by pancreatic islets on cotransplanted hepato-cytes. We found a reciprocal salutary effect of fetal liver (FL) on fetal pancreas (FP) in the intramural small bowel (ISB) site. To further investigate this intriguing finding, composite FP/FL isografts were transplanted to the conventional renal subcapsular (RSC) site and the accessible but historically inhospitable intramuscular site in streptozotocin-diabetic Lewis rats. A comparison of recipients of FP/FL and FP alone found the proportion rendered normoglycemic was site dependent. All recipients of either composite FP/FL grafts or FP alone transplanted in the ISB site became normoglycemic. The proportion of normoglycemic recipients was lower in the RSC site (71% FP and 40% FP/FL) and the i.m. site (14% FP and 67% FP/FL). Importantly, regardless of site, normoglycemia was established with an accelerated time course in recipients of FP/FL versus FP alone (24±8 vs. 67143 days; P=0.001). Normal (or more rapid) glucose clearance after challenge was achieved in all normoglycemic recipients except those transplanted in the RSC site. On histological examination of excised FP/FL grafts, hepa-tocytes were present in association with islets. Cyclo-sporine-induced islet toxicity could not be overcome in 6 recipients of FP alone, but 6 of 8 recipients of FP/FL became normoglycemic (P<0.01). To assess the effect of FP on hepatocytes, allografts (Wistar donors) of FP or FP/FL were cotransplanted in the ISB of enzyme-deficient jaundiced Gunn rats. Immunosuppression consisted of rapamycin (0.8 mg/kg/day) infused intravenously for 4 weeks. In the FP/FL group (n=4), the mean serum bilirubin level decreased from 8.6 to 4.9 mg/dl at 6 weeks after transplantation. This was a significant difference as compared with the increased mean serum bilirubin from 6.9 to 7.8 mg/dl (P<0.05; paired Student's t test) in recipients of FL alone (n=4). In conclusion, we found a mutual paracrine effect on islets and hepatocytes transplanted as a composite FP/FL graft. FL hastened the establishment of normoglycemia following transplantation of FP in diabetic rats, and FP enhanced FL transplant function in Gunn rats.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 272-276 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Transplantation |
Volume | 53 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 1992 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Transplantation