Use of rat segmental intestine for fetal pancreatic transplantation

Abstract

It is thought that the small intestine may provide a scaffold for pancreas regeneration. Herein, we investigated whether fetal pancreatic tissue could be transplanted into the segmental intestine in rats. Fetal pancreases from firefly luciferase transgenic Lewis rat embryos (embryonic day 14.5 and 15.5) were transplanted into streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic wild-type Lewis rats. As a scaffold for pancreatic development, rat small intestinal segments were utilized after the removal of mucosa, and fetal pancreases were grafted into the luminal surface through the stoma. We also transplanted fetal pancreases into the omentum. The survival of transplanted fetal pancreases was monitored by luciferase-derived photons and blood glucose levels. Transplanted fetal pancreas-derived photons were stable for 28 days, suggesting that transplanted fetal pancreatic tissues survived and that their intestinal blood supply was maintained.

Portocaval shunt for hepatocyte package

“…Joseph et al 13 reported the successful engraftment of liver microfragments in rats, and we have also demonstrated fetal pancreatic transplantation into the small intestine in a rat model. 17 In both models, intestinal mucosa was surgically removed, and the exposed submucosal layer functioned as a transplant site. The small intestine of humans has abundant sites that might be amenable to such transplantation, and it is also advantageous under the conditions of impaired hemostasis in liver failure because the liver and spleen are prone to bleed massively.…”

“…14,15 We have been focusing on small intestinal segments with denudation of the mucosa, whose submucosal layer can maintain transplanted tissues such as liver microfragments and fetal pancreas. 13,16,17 In our previous work, we demonstrated a PCS system using a small intestinal segment in rats. 7 Herein, we focused on the use of the small intestine as a scaffold for hepatocyte transplantation as well as a PCS system, in which we propose a strategy to develop a PCS with hepatic function (Fig.…”

“…A day before transplantation of isolated hepatocytes, recipient rats, anesthetized with isoflurane, underwent surgical preparation of a jejunal segment as described previously. 17 Briefly, 2-cm-long jejunal segments with intact arteriovenous supply were isolated. After end-to-end anastomosis of the jejunal cut-ends using 7-0 Nylon (Ethicon), the mucosa of the jejunal segment was removed with a surgical knife.…”