Immunocytochemical characterization of the pancreatic islet cells of the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Frederick Banting's actual great idea: The role of fetal bovine islets in the discovery of insulin

BACKGROUND

Frederick Banting approached Toronto physiology professor JJR Macleod with a way to prevent pancreatic trypsin from destroying the pancreas' internal secretion. Banting proposed to induce exocrine atrophy by ligating canine pancreatic ducts and to use extracts of islet-rich residua to treat pancreatectomized dogs. His next plan was to make extracts from fetal pancreas, which he had read was islet-rich and lacked exocrine tissue capable of making trypsin; this work has not been historically evaluated.

METHODS

Banting's fetal calf pancreas story is told using primary and secondary historical sources and then critically examined using both historical and recent data on species phylogeny, islet ontogeny, fetal/neonatal islet culture/transplantation, etc. Results/Discussion: Only ruminants develop dual islets populations sequentially; fetal calf pancreata, at the gestational ages Banting used, possess numerous insulin-rich giant peri-lobular islets, which credibly explain the potency of his fetal calf insulin extract. Use of non-ruminant fetal pancreata would have failed.

Dietary protein modulates digestive enzyme activities and gene expression in red tilapia juveniles

It is known that the level of dietary protein modulates the enzymatic activity of the digestive tract of fish; however, its effect at the molecular level on these enzymes and the hormones regulating appetite has not been well characterised. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of CP on the activity of proteases and the expression of genes related to the ingestion and protein digestion of juveniles of red tilapia (Oreochromis sp.), as well as the effects on performance, protein retention and body composition of tilapia. A total of 240 juveniles (29.32 ± 5.19 g) were used, distributed across 20 tanks of 100 l in a closed recirculation system. The fish were fed to apparent satiety for 42 days using four isoenergetic diets with different CP levels (24%, 30%, 36% and 42%). The results indicate that fish fed the 30% CP diet exhibited a higher growth performance compared to those on the 42% CP diet (P < 0.05). Feed intake in fish fed 24% and 30% CP diets was significantly higher than that in fish fed 36% and 42% CP diets (P < 0.05). A significant elevation of protein retention was observed in fish fed with 24% and 30% CP diets. Fish fed with 24% CP exhibited a significant increase in lipid deposition in the whole body. The diet with 42% CP was associated with the highest expression of pepsinogen and the lowest activity of acid protease (P < 0.05). The expression of hepatopancreatic trypsinogen increased as CP levels in the diet increased (P < 0.05) up to 36%, whereas trypsin activity showed a significant reduction with 42% CP (P < 0.05). The diet with 42% CP was associated with the lowest intestinal chymotrypsinogen expression and the lowest chymotrypsin activity (P < 0.05). α-amylase expression decreased with increasing (P < 0.05) CP levels up to 36%. No significant differences were observed in the expression of procarboxypeptidase, lipase or leptin among all the groups (P > 0.05). In addition, the diet with 42% CP resulted in a decrease (P < 0.05) in the expression of ghrelin and insulin and an increase (P < 0.05) in the expression of cholecystokinin and peptide yy. It is concluded that variation in dietary protein promoted changes in the metabolism of the red tilapia, which was reflected in proteolytic activity and expression of digestion and appetite-regulating genes.

Liver to Pancreas Transdifferentiation

PURPOSE OF THE REVIEW

Here, we review recent findings in the field of generating insulin-producing cells by pancreatic transcription factor (pTF)-induced liver transdifferentiation (TD). TD is the direct conversion of functional cell types from one lineage to another without passing through an intermediate stage of pluripotency. We address potential reasons for the restricted efficiency of TD and suggest modalities to overcome these challenges, to bring TD closer to its clinical implementation in autologous cell replacement therapy for insulin-dependent diabetes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Liver to pancreas TD is restricted to cells that are a priori predisposed to undergo the developmental process. In vivo, the predisposition of liver cells is affected by liver zonation and hepatic regeneration. The TD propensity of liver cells is related to permissive epigenome which could be extended to TD-resistant cells by specific soluble factors. An obligatory role for active Wnt signaling in continuously maintaining a "permissive" epigenome is suggested. Moreover, the restoration of the pancreatic niche and vasculature promotes the maturation of TD cells along the β cell function. Future studies on liver to pancreas TD should include the maturation of TD cells by 3D culture, the restoration of vasculature and the pancreatic niche, and the extension of TD propensity to TD-resistant cells by epigenetic modifications. Liver to pancreas TD is expected to result in the generation of custom-made "self" surrogate β cells for curing diabetes.

Immunohistochemical distribution of insulin-, glucagon- and somatostatin-containing cells in the pancreas of Lake Van fish (Alburnus tarichi Güldenstädt, 1814) (Cyprinidae)

The Lake Van fish (Alburnus tarichi) is a species that is endemic to Turkey’s Lake Van basin. In this study, the regional distribution, volume density, and relative frequency of some pancreatic endocrine cells in Lake Van fish were investigated via immunohistochemistry using specific mammalian antibodies. The pancreatic tissue was observed to be surrounded by adipose tissue, which was adjacent to the gall bladder or extrahepatic bile duct, or dispersed in the adipose tissue ranked among coils of post-esophageal swelling and intestine. The pancreatic endocrine cells were examined, including the islets, exocrine pancreas, and pancreatic ducts. According to the modified aldehyde fuchsin staining and immunohistochemistry, insulin-secreting beta cells were observed to localize throughout the islets. Glucagon immune-reactive (IR) cells were observed to be situated moderately on the islet periphery, and were rarely determined in the islet central region. A small number of somatostatin- IR cells were observed in the islet centers and peripheries. Similar distributions of those three endocrine cells were also determined in the secondary islets. Additionally, the endocrine cell percentages did not differ between the primary and secondary islets; insulin-, glucagon- and somatostatin-IR cells comprised approximately 54%, 29%, and 11% of the endocrine cells in the principal islets, whereas they comprised 52%, 27%, and 14% in the secondary islets, respectively. Insulin-, glucagon- and somatostatin-IR cells were also determined among the epithelium and subepithelial connective tissue in the pancreatic ducts or exocrine areas of the pancreas. With this study, the existence, regional distribution, and relative frequency of the insulin-, glucagon- and somatostatin-IR cells were first investigated in the pancreatic tissue of Lake Van fish and the results were discussed.

A review of piscine islet xenotransplantation using wild-type tilapia donors and the production of transgenic tilapia expressing a "humanized" tilapia insulin

Most islet xenotransplantation laboratories have focused on porcine islets, which are both costly and difficult to isolate. Teleost (bony) fish, such as tilapia, possess macroscopically visible distinct islet organs called Brockmann bodies which can be inexpensively harvested. When transplanted into diabetic nude mice, tilapia islets maintain long-term normoglycemia and provide human-like glucose tolerance profiles. Like porcine islets, when transplanted into euthymic mice, they are rejected in a CD4 T-cell-dependent manner. However, unlike pigs, tilapia are so phylogenetically primitive that their cells do not express α(1,3)Gal and, because tilapia are highly evolved to live in warm stagnant waters nearly devoid of dissolved oxygen, their islet cells are exceedingly resistant to hypoxia, making them ideal for transplantation within encapsulation devices. Encapsulation, especially when combined with co-stimulatory blockade, markedly prolongs tilapia islet xenograft survival in small animal recipients, and a collaborator has shown function in diabetic cynomolgus monkeys. In anticipation of preclinical xenotransplantation studies, we have extensively characterized tilapia islets (morphology, embryologic development, cell biology, peptides, etc.) and their regulation of glucose homeostasis. Because tilapia insulin differs structurally from human insulin by 17 amino acids, we have produced transgenic tilapia whose islets stably express physiological levels of humanized insulin and have now bred these to homozygosity. These transgenic fish can serve as a platform for further development into a cell therapy product for diabetes.

Isolation, density purification, and in vitro culture maintenance of functional caprine islets of Langerhans as an alternative islet source for diabetes study

BACKGROUND

Insufficient availability of human donors makes the search for alternative source of islet cells mandatory for future developments in pancreatic transplantation. The present study investigates the potential of caprine as an alternative source of pancreatic islets. The objectives of the study were to optimize techniques for caprine islet isolation and purification for culture establishment, and to subsequently assess their viable and functional potential.

METHODS

Caprine pancreatic tissues were collected from a local slaughterhouse and prior transported to the laboratory by maintaining the cold chain. Islets were obtained by a collagenase-based digestion and optimized isolation technique. Islet cell purity and viability were determined by dithizone and trypan blue staining, respectively. Islet clusters of different sizes were positively identified by staining methods and demonstrated 90% viability in the culture system. Following static incubation, an in vitro insulin secretion assay was carried out and analyzed by ELISA.

RESULTS

The islets remained satisfactorily viable for 5 days in the culture system following regular media changes. The current study has successfully optimized the isolation, purification and culture maintenance of caprine islets.

CONCLUSION

The successful yield, viability and functionality of islets isolated from the optimized protocol provide promising potential as an alternative source of islets for diabetes and transplantation researches.

Cloning and molecular characterization of the glucose transporter 1 in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs) are responsible for passively transporting monosaccharides across the plasma membrane. We sequenced and characterized the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) GLUT-1 (tGLUT-1) cDNA and genomic DNA. Using rapid amplification of the cDNA ends (RACE), two tGLUT-1 transcripts were detected differing in the length of the 3' untranslated region, 2851 and 4577 bp. Translated tGLUT-1 is a 490 amino acid product, which shares 74% homology with that of humans. Computer analysis of the amino acid sequence predicted 12 transmembrane domains, which are conserved in the GLUT-1 of various species. The tGLUT-1 gene spans more than 11 kb, and similar to the mammalian GLUT-1 genes has a 10 exon, 9 intron organization. Potential promoter regulatory elements have some similarity to those recorded for human, mouse, and rat GLUT-1 genes. Tissue expression studies revealed both GLUT-1 transcripts in liver, Brockmann bodies (BB), heart, small intestine, adipose tissue, white and red muscle, gill, spleen, pituitary gland, and brain. The highest level of expression was detected in tilapia heart, followed by BB, brain, and muscle. Protein based food and glucose had minor or no effects on the level of tGLUT-1 expression in most tissues. The tGLUT-1 mRNA level was significantly induced by glucose and food only in white muscle. Current results suggest that tGLUT-1 is similar to the GLUT-1 of other teleost species and mammals at the genomic, mRNA, and amino acid levels, supporting the concept that tGLUT-1 functions as a ubiquitous basal level glucose transporter.

Regulation of insulin gene expression and insulin production in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

Compared to mammals, little is known about insulin gene expression in fish. Using transient transfection experiments and mammalian insulinoma cell lines we demonstrate that transcription of the Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) insulin gene is (a) regulated in a beta-cell-specific manner; and (b) not sensitive to the glucose stimulations. Deletion analysis of the 1575 bp 5' insulin gene flanking sequence revealed that cooperative interactions between regulatory elements within the proximal (-1 to -396 bp) and the distal (-396 bp to -1575 bp) promoter regions were necessary for induction of the beta-cell-specific transcription. Effects of glucose and arginine on endogenous insulin secretion, translation, and transcription in isolated tilapia Brockmann bodies were determined using Northern hybridization, Western analysis, and quantitative RT-PCR. Similar to the regulation of mammalian insulin, we found that increases of glucose (1-70 mM) and arginine (0.4-25 mM) induced insulin secretion. However, transcription of the insulin gene was activated only by extremely high concentrations of glucose and arginine added simultaneously. When stimulated for 24 h with low concentrations of both inducers or with either of them added separately, tilapia beta-cells were able to replenish secreted insulin and to maintain insulin stores at a constant level without elevations of the insulin mRNA levels. Since the basal level of insulin mRNA was approximately 3.7-fold higher in tilapia beta-cells than it is in mammalian beta-cells, insulin production in tilapia cells probably relies on an enlarged intracellular insulin mRNA pool and does not require the transcriptional activation of the insulin gene.

Insulin expression in the brain and pituitary cells of tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

While the presence of immunoreactive insulin in the central nervous system of many vertebrate species is well known, the origin of brain insulin is still debated. In this study, we applied RT-PCR, quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), and Northern hybridization to examine expression of the insulin gene in different tissues of an adult teleost fish, the Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus). We found that the insulin gene is transcribed at a high level in Brockmann bodies (pancreatic islet organs) and at a low level in the brain and pituitary gland. In the brain, insulin transcripts were detected in all areas by qRT-PCR and in situ hybridization. The highest level of insulin mRNA was found in the hypothalamus. The level of insulin transcription in the pituitary gland was 6-fold higher than that in the brain and 4.6-fold higher than that in the hypothalamus. Furthermore, insulin mRNA and immunoreactive insulin-like protein was detected in the pituitary gland using in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and Western blot analysis. Our results indicate that in adult tilapia insulin expression is not restricted to the endocrine pancreatic cells, but also occurs in endocrine cells of the pituitary gland and in the neuronal cells of the brain, suggesting that the brain/pituitary gland might represent extrapancreatic origin of insulin production.

Things we have learned from tilapia islet xenotransplantation

An islet xenotransplantation model has been developed using tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) as the donors. Studies using this model for the treatment of experimental type 1 diabetes in mice have produced promising results including the maintenance of long-term normoglycemia and mammalian-like glucose tolerance profiles in islet graft recipients. Islet encapsulation has also provided a promising method for the prevention of graft rejection, and strains of transgenic tilapia expressing a [desThrB30] human insulin molecule have been produced. In addition to studying islet transplantation for the treatment of type 1 diabetes, these studies have also produced insights into piscine glucose homeostasis. Studies demonstrating the glucose responsiveness of tilapia islets are described. In addition, work performed by our group and by others pertaining to presence and nature of piscine glucose transporters is reviewed. Finally, studies addressing some of the broader challenges of islet xenotransplantation are discussed with particular attention paid to the post-transplantation fate of the various islet cell populations and the proteins they produce.

Ontogeny of the endocrine pancreatic cells of the gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata (Teleost)

The development of the gilthead sea bream, Sparus aurata, endocrine pancreas was studied from hatching to 114 days, using immunocytochemical techniques. Bonito insulin (INS)-, synthetic somatostatin-14 (SS-14)-, salmon somatostatin-25 (SS-25)-, mammalian somatostatin-28 (1-12) (SS-28)-, porcine glucagon (GLU)-, glucagon-like peptide-1 (1-19) (GLP-1)-, synthetic porcine peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY)-, and neuropeptide Y (NPY)-like immunoreactivities were demonstrated. The different types of endocrine cells appear at distinct stages of development and differ in their arrangement. The coexistence of INS and SS-25 immunoreactivities was demonstrated in the cells of one strand or primordial cord and a primordial islet that appeared close to the dorsal epithelium of the anterior region of the undifferentiated gut or next to the gut at hatching and one day after hatching, respectively. INS- and SS-25- immunoreactive (ir) cells were located in the core and at the periphery of the single islet found in 2-day-old larvae, while SS-28-ir cells were found in the single islet in 4- to 11-day-old larvae. GLU/GLP-1-ir cells were located next to the outer SS-25-ir cells in the single islet of 12- and 16-day-old larvae. SS-14/SS-25- and SS-14/SS-28-ir cells were detected in the outer region and in the inner area of the single islet, respectively, in 17- to 23-day-old larvae. One big islet and several small islets and isolated or clustered cells next to the pancreatic duct were present in 24- and 25-day-old larvae. The islets were similar in cell composition to the single islet seen in the previous stage, while the isolated and grouped cells showed the coexistence of INS and diverse SSs immunoreactivities. Nerve fibers showing PYY immunoreactivity were identified in the islets from 17 days onwards. In 30- to 44-day-old larvae, GLU and NPY immunoreactivities coexisted in a few cells at the periphery of some small islets. PYY-ir cells were first detected at day 51. One big islet, several intermediate islets and numerous small islets were present from 51-day-old-larvae to juveniles. GLU was colocalized with PYY and NPY in a few cells in a small peripheral area in the big islet and a few intermediate islets. The outer region of small islets and other intermediate islets showed the complete coexistence of GLU, PYY, and NPY.

Rapid destruction of encapsulated islet xenografts by NOD mice is CD4-dependent and facilitated by B-cells: innate immunity and autoimmunity do not play significant roles

BACKGROUND

Spontaneously diabetic NOD mice rapidly reject microencapsulated islet xenografts via an intense pericapsular inflammatory response.

METHODS

Tilapia (fish) islets were encapsulated in 1.5% alginate gel microspheres. Recipients in series 1 were spontaneously diabetic NOD mice and streptozotocin-diabetic nude, euthymic Balb/c, prediabetic NOD, and NOR (a recombinant congenic strain not prone to autoimmune diabetes) mice. Recipients in Series 2 were STZ-diabetic NOD, NOD-scid, NOD CD4 T-cell KO, NOD CD8 T-cell KO, and NOD B-cell KO mice.

RESULTS

In Series 1, encapsulated fish islet grafts uniformly survived long-term in nude mice but were rejected in Balb/c and, at a markedly accelerated rate, in spontaneously diabetic NOD, streptozotocin-diabetic NOD and NOR recipients. Histologically, intense inflammation (macrophages and eosinophils) surrounding the microcapsules was seen only in NOD and NOR recipients. In Series 2, encapsulated fish islets uniformly survived long-term in NOD-scid and NOD CD4 KO mice; graft survival was markedly prolonged in B-cell KO (P<0.001) but not CD8 KO mice.

CONCLUSIONS

The rapid rejection of alginate encapsulated islet xenografts by NOD mice is not solely a consequence of beta-cell directed autoimmunity nor is it merely a vigorous innate immune response. Graft rejection requires CD4 T-cells, is facilitated by B-cells, and does not require CD8 T-cells.

Production of transgenic tilapia with Brockmann bodies secreting [desThrB30] human insulin

BACKGROUND

Tilapia are commercially important tropical fish which, like many teleosts, have anatomically discrete islet organs called Brockmann bodies. When transplanted into diabetic nude mice, tilapia islets provide long-term normoglycemia and mammalian-like glucose tolerance profiles.

METHODS

Using site-directed mutagenesis and linker ligation we have "humanized" the tilapia insulin gene so that it codes for [desThrB30] human insulin while maintaining the tilapia regulatory sequences. Following microinjection into fertilized eggs, we screened DNA isolated from whole fry shortly after hatching by PCR. Positive fish were grown to sexual maturity and mated to wild-types and positive Fl's were further characterized.

RESULTS

Human insulin was detected in both serum and in the clusters of beta cells scattered throughout the Brockmann bodies. Surrounding non-beta cells as well as other tissues were negative indicating beta cell specific expression. Purification and sequencing of both A-and B-chains verified that the insulin was properly processed and humanized.

CONCLUSIONS

After extensive characterization, transgenic tilapia could become a suitable, inexpensive source of islet tissue that can be easily mass-produced for clinical islet xenotransplantation. Because tilapia islets are exceedingly resistant to hypoxia by mammalian standards, transgenic tilapia islets should be ideal for xenotransplantation using immunoisolation techniques.

Development of the islets, exocrine pancreas, and related ducts in the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus (Pisces: Cichlidae)

Pancreatic development and the relationship of the islets with the pancreatic, hepatic, and bile ducts were studied in the Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus, from hatching to the onset of maturity at 7 months. The number of islets formed during development was counted, using either serial sections or dithizone staining of isolated islets. There was a general increase in islet number with both age and size. Tilapia housed in individual tanks grew more quickly and had more islets than siblings of the same age left in crowded conditions. The pancreas is a compact organ in early development, and at 1 day posthatch (dph) a single principal islet, positive for all hormones tested (insulin, SST-14, SST-28, glucagon, and PYY), is partially surrounded by exocrine pancreas. However, the exocrine pancreas becomes more disseminated in older fish, following blood vessels along the mesenteries and entering the liver to form a hepatopancreas. The epithelium of the pancreatic duct system from the intercalated ducts to the main duct entering the duodenum was positive for glucagon and SST-14 in 8 and 16 dph tilapia. Individual insulin-immunopositive cells were found in one specimen. At this early stage in development, therefore, the pancreatic duct epithelial cells appear to be pluripotent and may give rise to the small islets found near the pancreatic ducts in 16-37 dph tilapia. Glucagon, SST-14, and some PPY-positive enteroendocrine cells were present in the intestine of the 8 dph larva and in the first part of the intestine of the 16 dph juvenile. Glucagon and SST-14-positive inclusions were found in the apical cytoplasm of the mid-gut epithelium of the 16 dph tilapia. These hormones may have been absorbed from the gut lumen, since they are produced in both the pancreatic ducts and the enteroendocrine cells. At least three hepatic ducts join the cystic duct to form the bile duct, which runs alongside the pancreatic duct to the duodenum.

Tilapia islet grafts are highly alloxan-resistant

We have previously shown that dose-response studies performed in streptozotocin (STZ)-diabetic nude mouse recipients bearing established, functioning islet xenografts can be used to directly compare in vivo STZ-sensitivity between donor species and that tilapia (fish) islet grafts are exceedingly STZ-resistant. Using this method, we tested whether tilapia islets are sensitive to alloxan. Tilapia or rat islets were transplanted under the renal capsules of STZ-diabetic nude mice. Recipients with normal glucose tolerance tests (GTTs) on day 30-35 were injected with increasing i.v. doses of alloxan and blood glucose levels were followed for 5-7 days and then GTTs were repeated. Next, mice were killed and their grafts/native pancreata examined histologically (including insulin stains). Control nude mice were also injected with increasing i.v. doses of alloxan. Based upon non-fasting blood glucose levels, GTT, and graft histology, the following observations were made: (1) Tilapia islet xenografts were uniformly resistant to i.v. doses of 75 mg/kg (n=3), 150 mg/kg (n=4), and 300 mg/kg (n=3). (2) Rat islet recipients became uniformly severely diabetic after alloxan i.v. doses of 50-70 mg/kg (n=6) (i.e., equivalent to the dosage needed to induce diabetes in rats). (3) Control nude mice were severely diabetic at doses of 75 mg/kg (4/5) and 150 mg/kg (n=3/3). Alloxan dose-response studies were also performed in tilapia. Interestingly, tilapia appeared more sensitive than tilapia islet grafts. Although 75 mg/kg i.v. had little effect in tilapia, higher doses caused severe beta cell necrosis, diabetes, and systemic damage; however, this seeming discrepancy can be explained as tilapia have about one-quarter of the blood volume of mice (i.e., as a percentage of body weight) and so the actual concentration in the blood was about 4-fold higher at each dose. We conclude that tilapia beta cells are highly resistant to the beta cell toxin alloxan.

Piscine Islet Xenotransplantation

Tilapia, a teleost fish species with large anatomically discrete islet organs (Brockmann bodies; BBs) that can be easily harvested without expensive and fickle islet isolation procedures, make an excellent donor species for experimental islet xenotransplantation research. When transplanted into streptozotocin-diabetic nude or severe combined immunodeficient mice, BBs provide long-term normoglycemia and mammalian-like glucose tolerance profiles. However, when transplanted into euthymic recipients, the mechanism of islet xenograft rejection appears very similar to that of islets from "large animal" donor species such as the very popular fetal/neonatal porcine islet cell clusters (ICCs). Tilapia islets are more versatile than ICCs and can be transplanted (1) into the renal subcapsular space, the cryptorchid or noncryptorchid testis, or intraportally as neovascularized cell transplants; (2) as directly vascularized organ transplants; or (3) intraperitoneally after microencapsulation. Unlike the popular porcine ICCs, BBs function immediately after transplantation; thus, their rejection can be assessed on the basis of loss of function as well as other parameters. We have also shown that transplantation of tilapia BBs into nude mice can be used to study the possible implications of cross-species physiological incompatibilities in xenotransplantation. Unfortunately, tilapia BBs might be unsuitable for clinical islet xenotransplantation because tilapia insulin differs from human insulin by 17 amino acids and, thus, would be immunogenic and less biologically active in humans. Therefore, we have produced transgenic tilapia that express a "humanized" tilapia insulin gene. Future improvements on these transgenic fish may allow tilapia to play an important role in clinical islet xenotransplantation.

New organs from our own tissues: liver-to-pancreas transdifferentiation

Recent advances in pancreatic islet transplantation emphasize the potential of this approach for the long-term control of blood glucose levels in diabetic patients. However, tissue-replacement therapy will become widely available as a treatment for diabetes only when new sources of islets and insulin-producing cells are found. Here, we review recent evidence that documents the potential of mature liver as a source of tissue for generating a functional endocrine pancreas, by ectopic expression of pancreatic transcription and differentiation factors. When key events in the transconversion process have been identified, using the liver as a source of pancreatic tissue might provide a valuable approach for replacing impaired beta cell function in diabetics.

Xenogeneic milieu markedly remodels endocrine cell populations after transplantation of fish islets into streptozotocin-diabetic nude mice

It is unknown whether irrelevant foreign endocrine products secreted by xenografts would be biologically active and potentially harmful to recipients; even if entirely inert, continuous production might result in harmful circulating antigen-antibody complexes. We examined the fate of such a product using a fish (tilapia)-to-mouse islet xenograft model. Teleost fish islets, like mammalian islets, are composed primarily of cells producing insulin, glucagon or somatostatin; however, teleost fish have two different populations of somatostatin (SST) producing delta cells, one producing SST-14, a 14 amino acid SST identical to mammalian SST, which is derived from the pre-proSST-I gene which is present in all vertebrates, and the other a "large" (i.e. 22 to 28 amino acid) SST derived from a pre-proSST-II gene, which is not found in mammals. In contrast to 'large' SST, which has no mammalian homolog, teleost fish insulins, glucagons and SST-14 exhibit significant biological activity in mammals. Tilapia islets were transplanted under the kidney capsules of streptozotocin-diabetic nude mice, and mice with functioning grafts were killed at various times after transplantation. Serial sections of graft-bearing kidneys were stained by immunoperoxidase for insulin, SST-14, SST-25 and glucagon positive cells, and the areas of each cell type in the graft were measured using image analysis. Sections of untransplanted tilapia islets (both in situ and after harvest/culture) were also immunostained and measured as controls. Xenotransplantation of fish islets into diabetic nude mice resulted in the rapid degeneration and near total loss of SST-25+ cells, as well as a marked redistribution of the proportions of the remaining endocrine cell types. The proportions of cell types in the grafts gradually changed from a piscine pattern to that of mammalian islets.

Human beta cells are exceedingly resistant to streptozotocin in vivo

Streptozotocin (STZ) causes beta cell death in rodents via the mechanism of DNA damage precipitating poly(ADP-ribose) synthetase activation followed by lethal nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide depletion. It is unclear whether humans are susceptible to this mechanism. Islets were isolated from STZ-sensitive (CD1 mice and Lewis rats) and resistant [fish (tilapia)] species and from man and then were transplanted into diabetic nude mice under the kidney capsule. Normoglycemic recipients with normal glucose tolerance tests on d 30 were injected with increasing iv doses of STZ and their plasma glucose levels followed for 5 d; glucose tolerance tests were repeated on nondiabetic mice. Mice were then killed; grafts and native pancreata were examined. Based upon three criteria (i.e. nonfasting plasma glucose levels, glucose tolerance tests, and islet histology), the following observations were made: 1) Recipients of rat islets were resistant to 25 mg/kg but were uniformly diabetic at doses of 50 or 75 mg/kg. 2) Recipients of mouse islets were resistant to 75 mg/kg but were uniformly diabetic at 150 or 200 mg/kg. 3) Recipients of the fish islets were resistant to 300, 400, and 450 mg/kg. 4) Recipients of human islets were resistant to 100, 200, 300, 400, and 450 mg/kg. The results in recipient mice bearing long-term rat, mouse, or fish islet grafts were the same as previously published dose-response data for each donor species. We extrapolate from our results based on human islet grafts in mice that human beta cells are exceedingly resistant to STZ.

Liposomal encapsulation significantly enchances the immunosuppressive effect of tacrolimus in a discordant islet xenotransplant model

BACKGROUND

Encapsulation of tacrolimus (TAC) in a lipid bilayer to form liposome-encapsulated tacrolimus (LTAC) alters the biodistribution profile, half-life, and efficacy in organ allotransplantation models. LTAC has not been applied to either cell transplantation or xenotransplantation.

METHODS

To test the efficacy of LTAC in a discordant islet xenograft model, tilapia (fish) islets were transplanted under the left kidney capsules of streptozotocin-diabetic Balb/c mice. Recipient mice (groups I-VI) were treated with: I, untreated; II, empty liposomes; III, TAC (2 mg/kg/day); IV, TAC (5 mg/kg/day); V, LTAC (2 mg/kg/day); or VI, LTAC (5 mg/kg/day); all treatments were for 35 days or until rejection (i.e., two glucose measurements >200 mg/dl). Graft-bearing kidneys were removed for histology after rejection.

RESULTS

Mean graft survival time (mGST) for control groups I and II were 6.7+/-1.4 (n=6) and 7.5+/-1.3 days (n=4), respectively. Daily TAC treatment at 2 mg/kg/d (III) did not prolong graft function (mGST=7.7+/-1.6; n=6) although 5 mg/kg/day (IV) produced minimal prolongation to 12.8+/-4.8 days (n=12). Treatment with LTAC at 2 mg/kg/day (V) significantly prolonged mGST to 26.6+/-4.9 (n=5); however, all recipients rejected during treatment (i.e.,<35 days). LTAC at 5 mg/kg/day (VI) further prolonged mGST to 39.9+/-11.8 days (n=12) with only one mouse rejecting before day 35. Histologically, at the time of functional rejection, grafts were generally either totally or partially effaced by mononuclear cells, eosinophils, and fibrosis. In groups VI, islet grafts removed from two mice that died while they were normoglycemic and from a mouse terminated while it was normoglycemic at day 36 were viable, well-granulated, and free from cellular infiltration. The group VI grafts examined at rejection (i.e., 1-2 weeks after discontinuing LTAC) were generally totally obliterated and were in two instances associated with nodular aggregates of atypical lymphocytes resembling posttransplant lymphoproliferative disorder.

CONCLUSIONS

LTAC is the most potent immunosuppressive compound we have tested in our discordant fish-to-mouse islet xenograft model; however, toxicity is an issue at high doses.

Histological study of the development of the embryo and early larva of Oreochromis niloticus (Pisces: Cichlidae)

The developmental stages of Oreochromis niloticus are similar to those described in other mouth-breeding tilapias except that, as in zebrafish, no cavity was found in the blastula. Variation in the rate of development of the embryo and larva of O. niloticus was found within a clutch of eggs as well as between clutches. Hatching glands are described for the first time in tilapias. They are widely distributed within the ectoderm covering the head, body, tail, and surface of the yolk sac near its attachment to the embryo. Timing of larval development is similar to that in other mouthbrooding tilapias, but is slower than that found in substrate-spawning tilapias. A pneumatic duct connects the swimbladder to the digestive tract and swimbladder inflation and initiation of feeding occurs at about the same time. The digestive tract of the larva 8 and 9 days after fertilization is similar to that found in the adult, except that there are no digestive glands. An endocrine pancreatic islet was first seen 76 h after fertilization. A prominent thymus gland is present at 100 h. Hematopoietic tissue develops in the vicinity of the pronephros during early larval development. A spleen develops later, 7 days after fertilization.

Ontogenetic and phylogenetic development of the endocrine pancreas (islet organ) in fish

The morphology of the gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) system of fish was reviewed with the objective of providing the phylogenetic and ontogenetic development of the system in this vertebrate group, which includes agnathans and gnathostome cartilaginous, actinoptyerygian, and sarcopterygian fish. Particular emphasis is placed on the fish homolog of the endocrine pancreas of other vertebrates, which is referred to as the islet organ. The one-hormone islet organ (B cells) of larval lampreys is the most basic pattern seen among a free-living vertebrate, with the two-hormone islet organ (B and D cells) of hagfish and the three-hormone islet organ (B, D, and F cells) of adult lampreys implying a phylogenetic trend toward the classic four-hormone islet tissue (B, D, F, and A cells) in most other fish. An earlier stage in the development of this phylogenetic sequence in vertebrates may have been the restriction of islet-type hormones to the alimentary canal, like that seen in protochordates. The relationship of the islet organ to exocrine pancreatic tissue, or its equivalent, is variable among bony, cartilaginous, and agnathan fishes and is likely a manifestation of the early divergence of these piscine groups. Variations in pancreatic morphology between individuals of subgroups within both the lamprey and chondrichthyan taxa are consistent with their evolutionary distance. A comparison of the distribution and degree of concentration of the components of the islet organ among teleosts indicates a diffuse distribution of relatively small islets in the generalized euteleosts and the tendency for the concentration into Brockmann bodies of large (principal) islets (with or without secondary islets) in the more derived forms. The holostean actinopterygians (Amiiformes and Semiontiformes) share with the basal teleosts (osteoglossomorphs, elopomorphs) the diffuse arrangement of the components of the islet organ that is seen in generalized euteleosts. Since principal islets are also present in adult lampreys the question arises whether principal islets are a derived or a generalized feature among teleosts. There is a paucity of studies on the ontogeny of the GEP system in fish but it has been noted that the timing of the appearance of the islet cell types parallels the time that they appear during phylogeny; the theory of recapitulation has been revisited. It is stressed that the lamprey life cycle provides a good opportunity for studying the development of the GEP system. There are now several markers of cell differentiation in the mammalian endocrine pancreas which would be useful for investigating the development of the islet organ and cells of the remaining GEP system in fish.

Streptozotocin dose-response curve in tilapia, a glucose-responsive teleost fish

Streptozotocin (STZ) causes beta cell necrosis and insulin-dependent diabetes in many species. The specificity of this beta cell toxin relates to its structure as an alkylating agent with an attached glucose moiety. STZ uptake by rodent beta cells appears to be via the GLUT-2 glucose transporter. Teleost fish, in general, are severely glucose intolerant. The effects of STZ were examined in tilapia, a teleost fish with highly glucose-responsive islets. Fasted tilapia were given 0, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, or 350 mg/kg STZ iv. Plasma glucose levels were followed for 72 h and the fish autopsied. Histological sections of islets were stained by immunoperoxidase for tilapia insulin. Severe hyperglycemia was seen in 20, 80, and 100% of fish receiving 250, 300, and 350 mg/kg doses; however, sections of islets showed only partial degranulation with no evidence of beta cell necrosis. Another group of fish receiving the highest dose were followed longer to determine whether beta cell necrosis and permanent hyperglycemia ensued. All fish died or were killed within 9 days because of severe hepatic failure characterized by hepatic necrosis, jaundice, and ascites; islet morphology was relatively normal suggesting, even in a glucose-sensitive species, that fish islets either do not take up STZ or are highly resistant to its "diabetogenic" effects. Tilapia may thus be a useful model to elucidate mechanisms of action of STZ. Furthermore, STZ may provide important insights into differences in glucose uptake and metabolism by mammalian and piscine beta cells.