Beneficial effects of nerve growth factor on islet transplantation

Abstract

Objective. Development of the Edmonton protocol was a pivotal contribution to clinical islet transplantation (ITx). Persistent limitations to ITx include insufficient supply and posttransplant functional failure of islets. In this study, nerve growth factor (NGF) was used to enhance both cultured and transplanted beta-cell function, thus achieving prolonged graft survival. Methods. Fluorescence microscopy with ethidium bromide and SYTO green staining was used to evaluate balb/c mouse islet viability. Islets were syngeneically transplanted under the kidney capsule of recipients with streptozotocin-induced diabetes. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance was used to test posttransplant function. Results. Improved viability was found in murine islets cultured for 48 hours in 500 ng/mL NGF (P