This work was supported by an Australian Research Council Grant DP110100642 (to PT) and National Health and Medical Research Council Grants APP1002520 and APP1059426 (to PT and HYG).

NOTE: All present experiments were performed according to local animal ethics procedures of the University of Queensland (approved by the University of Queensland, Anatomical Biosciences Ethics Committee).
1. Islet Isolation
<ol>
	<li>Reagent preparation
	<ol>
		<li>Mixture of enzymes
		<ol>
			<li>For the pancreatic digestion, use a mixture of liberase and collagenase type IV. Dilute liberase TL (thermolysin low) 1 vial of 5 mg with 26 ml of DMEM (Dulbecco&#8217;s Modified Eagle Medium).</li>
			<li>Prepare collagenase type IV in Hank&#8217;s buffer at a concentration of 0.5mg/ml, supplemented with 5mM HEPES, 0.5mM CaCl2, 0.1mg/ml DNAse and 1mg/ml bovine serum albumin.</li>
			<li>Mix the liberase TL and collagenase solutions in a ratio of 4:1 (by volume), i.e., 4 ml liberase TL + 1 ml collagenase. Aliquot the mixture of enzymes to 2.5ml each and store at -20 &#176;C. 
			NOTE: The tissue incubation times vary a bit between batches of enzyme (30 sec&#160;to 1 min&#160;difference). Therefore, a batch test may be required.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>RPMI Isolation Media
		<ol>
			<li>Dissolve one vial of RPMI 1640 powder in 1 L of water at RT and supplement with 2 g NaHCO3, 4.02 g HEPES.</li>
			<li>Combine the RPMI isolation media in a large conical flask, mix with magnetic stirrer, adjust to pH 7.4 with NaOH, filter sterilize and store at 4 &#176;C.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>RPMI Culture Media</li>
		<li>Use RPMI culture media, with 10% fetal bovine serum and 1% antibiotics (i.e., penicillin 100 U/ml, streptomycin 100 &#956;g/ml).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>Islet Isolation and Culturing
	<ol>
		<li>Animal Sacrifice
		<ol>
			<li>Sacrifice mice by cervical dislocation or CO2 asphyxiation according to the local institution&#8217;s ethics procedures. Spray the mouse body thoroughly with 70% ethanol.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Pancreatic Perfusion
		<ol>
			<li>Use 2 long cuts laterally through the abdominal skin and peritoneum to make a V-shaped flap. Pull the flap of the skin up to uncover the entire abdominal cavity, put aside the bowel and keep the liver in place by a folded tissue paper to reveal the common bile duct (Figures&#160;1 and 2). Put the animal so that the head toward the surgeon and the tail away from the surgeon.</li>
			<li>Apply a vascular clamp at the ampulla on the duodenum wall to block the injected enzymes from entering the duodenum (Figure&#160;1). 
			NOTE: This is an important step as it determines whether the injected enzymes will go into the pancreatic duct and perfuse the pancreas or reflux to the injection site (over clamp) or go into the duodenum (under clamp).</li>
			<li>Cannulate the common bile duct with a 31 G needle near the junction of the common hepatic duct and cystic duct (Figure&#160;1) and leave room for a second injection if the pancreas fails to perfuse the first time. Slowly (over ~10 sec) inject about 2 ml of cold enzyme mixture into the mouse common bile duct. 
			NOTE: The pancreas will be perfused quickly if the clamp is in the right position.</li>
			<li>Adjust the clamp position if the needle is inside the common bile duct but cannot perfuse the pancreas (i.e., move up the clamp a bit away from the liver if over clamped or move it down a bit to the liver if under clamped). 
			NOTE: The needle sometimes goes into the surrounding capsule rather than the lumen of the duct. A useful sign to check whether the needle is inside the common bile duct is the dilation of the duct when injecting. If the pancreas fails to perfuse, an alternative is the enzyme mixture could be injected to multiple sites of the pancreas with lower yield expected. The perfusion of the left site of the pancreas (the splenic lobe) is important for maximization of the islet yield.</li>
			<li>After the pancreas is perfused, quickly remove the pancreas, put it into a vial (~20 ml, glass) and incubate for ~19 min&#160;in a 37 &#176;C water bath. 
			NOTE: The incubation time can vary a bit depending on the mouse strain and age.</li>
			<li>After the incubation time, stop the digestion process by adding ~20 ml of cold isolation media. Shake the vial gently to disrupt the pancreas and pour it through a normal tea sieve (pore diameter of 1 mm) into a sterile 50 ml tube. Top up the tube with isolation media and centrifuge at 400 x g for 1 min&#160;at 4 &#176;C with brake off.</li>
			<li>Dissolve the pellet in the isolation media again and transfer to two 15 ml tubes, then centrifuge at 400 x g for 1 min&#160;at 4&#176;C with brake off. After aspiration the supernatant, mix the two pellets well with 6 ml of density gradient cell separation media (Histopaque 1077 solution) per tube by vortexing or pipetting up and down. Then gently add ~6 ml of the isolation media to the side of the tube on top of the density gradient separation media and centrifuge at 100 x g for 15 min&#160;at 4 &#176;C with brake off.</li>
			<li>Collect the supernatant in the upper (isolation media), middle and lower (density gradient cell separation media) layer in 3 separate dishes. Handpick the islets in these 3 dishes, using a pipette under a dissecting microscope. 
			NOTE: The middle layer contains most of the islets. Islets are recognized as compact structures of ~ 50 to 500 &#956;m in size (Figure&#160;3). We obtain ~200 islets in WT mice and 300- &#60;100 islets in db/db mice.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Islet Culturing
		<ol>
			<li>To help the islets recover from the enzyme digestion, culture groups of 40 islets in a 25 cm petri dish with 6ml RPMI culture media (10mM glucose) at 37 &#176;C, 5% /95% CO2/O2 for 2 days before live-cell 2-photon imaging. Change the culture media daily. </li>
		</ol>
		</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>
2. Live Cell 2-Photon Imaging
<ol>
	<li>Reagent Preparation
	<ol>
		<li>Extracellular Buffer
		<ol>
			<li>Prepare the sodium rich extracellular buffer for the 2-photon assay with 140 mM NaCl, 5 mM KCl, 2.5 mM CaCl2, 1 mM MgCl2, 5 mM NaHCO3 and 10 mM HEPES.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
		<li>Extracellular Dye
		<ol>
			<li>For the 2-photon assay, prepare stock SRB 8 mM in extracellular buffer, aliquot into small tubes and store at -20 &#176;C. Dilute the stock SRB 1:10 in fresh extracellular buffer to get a working concentration of 0.8 mM.</li>
		</ol>
		</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
	<li>photon Imaging
	<ol>
		<li>First, pre-incubate 2-day cultured islets in 3 mM glucose extracellular buffer for 30 min. 
		NOTE: We use islets between 2 and 5 days in culture.</li>
		<li>Then, place a glass slide onto the thermo-control chamber mounted on the microscope stage. Use grease to prevent the leaking of solution.</li>
		<li>Cover the chamber with 500 &#956;l of extracellular buffer containing 0.8 mM SRB with different glucose concentrations (3 mM, 6 mM, 15 mM and 20 mM glucose).</li>
		<li>Next, place the pre-incubated islet into the middle of the chamber and focus at 3-4 cell layers into the islet where, in rodent islets, immunostaining for insulin shows that most cells are beta-cells. 
		NOTE: The SRB will outline all the cell membrane of the islet quickly and the islet is ready to image.</li>
		<li>Use a 2-photon microscope with a 60X oil immersion objective (NA 1.42) and imaging software (e.g., ScanImage 11). Figure&#160;4 illustrates a typical microscopy arrangement. Image exocytic events using SRB as a membrane impermeant fluorescent extracellular marker excited by femtosecond laser pulses at 880 nm, with fluorescence detected at 550-650 nm. Record the islet responses to stimulation.</li>
		<li>Identify single exocytic events by the sudden appearance of a small fluorescent spot (resolution 10 pixels/&#181;m) and confirm by the fast rising phase of the fluorescent signal over a region of interest (~0.78 &#956;m2).</li>
	</ol>
	</li>
</ol>

<ol>
	<li>Guariguata, L., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Global+estimates+of+diabetes+prevalence+for+2013+and+projections+for+2035.">Global estimates of diabetes prevalence for 2013 and projections for 2035.</a> Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice. 103, 137-149 (2014).</li><li>Ashcroft, F. M., Rorsman, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Diabetes+mellitus+and+the+beta+cell:+The+last+ten+years.">Diabetes mellitus and the beta cell: The last ten years.</a> Cell. 148, 1160-1171 (2012).</li><li>Weir, G. C., Bonner-Weir, S. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Five+stages+of+evolving+beta-cell+dysfunction+during+progression+to+diabetes.">Five stages of evolving beta-cell dysfunction during progression to diabetes.</a> Diabetes. 53, S16-S21 (2004).</li><li>Kjorholt, C., Akerfeldt, M. C., Biden, T. J., Laybutt, D. R. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Chronic+hyperglycemia,+independent+of+plasma+lipid+levels,+is+sufficient+for+the+loss+of+beta-cell+differentiation+and+secretory+function+in+the+db/db+mouse+model+of+diabetes.">Chronic hyperglycemia, independent of plasma lipid levels, is sufficient for the loss of beta-cell differentiation and secretory function in the db/db mouse model of diabetes.</a> Diabetes. 54, 2755-2763 (2005).</li><li>Wang, Y. W., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Spontaneous+type+2+diabetic+rodent+models.">Spontaneous type 2 diabetic rodent models.</a> Journal of Diabetes Research. , (2013).</li><li>Hummel, K. P., Dickie, M. M., Coleman, D. L. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Diabetes+a+new+mutation+in+mouse.">Diabetes a new mutation in mouse.</a> Science. 153, 1127-1128 (1966).</li><li>Do, O. H., Low, J. T., Gaisano, H. Y., Thorn, P. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=The+secretory+deficit+in+islets+from+db/db+mice+is+mainly+due+to+a+loss+of+responding+beta+cells.">The secretory deficit in islets from db/db mice is mainly due to a loss of responding beta cells.</a> Diabetologia. 57, 1400-1409 (2014).</li><li>Low, J. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Glucose+principally+regulates+insulin+secretion+in+mouse+islets+by+controlling+the+numbers+of+granule+fusion+events+per+cell.">Glucose principally regulates insulin secretion in mouse islets by controlling the numbers of granule fusion events per cell.</a> Diabetologia. 56, 2629-2637 (2013).</li><li>Takahashi, N., Kishimoto, T., Nemoto, T., Kadowaki, T., Kasai, H. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Fusion+pore+dynamics+and+insulin+granule+exocytosis+in+the+pancreatic+islet.">Fusion pore dynamics and insulin granule exocytosis in the pancreatic islet.</a> Science. 297, 1349-1352 (2002).</li><li>Low, J. T., et al. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=Insulin+secretion+from+beta+cells+in+intact+mouse+islets+is+targeted+towards+the+vasculature.">Insulin secretion from beta cells in intact mouse islets is targeted towards the vasculature.</a> Diabetologia. 57, 1655-1663 (2014).</li><li>Pologruto, T. A., Sabatini, B. L., Svoboda, K. <a target="_blank" href="http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?db=PubMed&cmd=Search&doptcmdl=Citation&defaultField=Title+Word&term=ScanImage:+flexible+software+for+operating+laser+scanning+microscopes.">ScanImage: flexible software for operating laser scanning microscopes.</a> Biomedical Engineering Online. 2, 13 (2003).</li></ol>

The authors declare they have no competing financial interests.

The most critical factor in the islet isolation is the initial perfusion of the pancreas; an under perfused pancreas results in a considerably lower islet yield. Other factors also affect the isolation quality such as the digestion time and the level of shaking which could partly compensate for the level of perfusion. For example, a fully perfused pancreas will need to be incubated at 37 &#176;C for ~18 min 30 sec while shaking gently, in contrast an under digested pancreas may require ~20 min&#160;digestion with harder ...

The role of beta-cell dysfunction in disease has been widely recognized 3,4. Cell lines such as the MIN6 and INS-1 are useful tools to understand the biology of beta cell behavior. However, the physiological control of insulin secretion takes place within the islets of Langerhans. These islets contain thousands of tightly packed beta cells, as well as blood vessels and other endocrine cell types. This environment within the islet influences insulin secretion and is likely to be important in diabetes. Therefore, to understand the physiological control of insulin secretion, and the pathophysiology of disease, it is essential to study intact islets.
Islet isolation
Live human islets and, in particular, human islets from type 2 diabetes patients are difficult to obtain. In addition, human islets have limited possibilities for experimental molecular manipulation. Researchers have therefore employed islets from animals and animal models of type 2 diabetes. One such disease model is the db/db mouse. This is a spontaneous mutation that models type 2 diabetes with a phenotype progression that closely parallels human disease 5,6. The protocol presented here for islet isolation from diabetic db/db mice has many steps in common with other groups with some refinements for better yield, purification and enhanced islet survival.
2 photon imaging
The live-cell 2-photon assay described here enables researchers to quantify the number and evaluate the characteristics of single insulin-containing granules from many cells of diabetic7 and wild type islets 8,9.

<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" width="675">
	<tbody>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Name of Reagent/ Equipment</td>
			<td style="width:173px;">Company</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">Catalog Number</td>
			<td style="width:167px;">Comments/Description</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Liberase TL 5mg</td>
			<td style="width:173px;">Roche</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">-5401020001</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Collagenase type IV-1g</td>
			<td style="width:173px;">Gibco-Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">17104-019</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Histopaque 1077 500ml</td>
			<td style="width:173px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">10771</td>
			<td></td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">RPMI 1640 Medium (10X) 1L</td>
			<td style="width:173px;">Sigma Aldrich</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">R1383</td>
			<td>to prepare isolation media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">RPMI 1640 (1X) 500ml</td>
			<td style="width:173px;">Gibco-Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">21870-076</td>
			<td>to prepare cultured media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Penicillin-Streptomycin 100ml</td>
			<td style="width:173px;">Gibco-Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">15140-122</td>
			<td>to prepare cultured media&#160;</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Fetal bovine serum 500ml</td>
			<td style="width:173px;">Gibco-Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">10099-141</td>
			<td>to prepare cultured media</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;">DMEM (Dulbecco&#39;s Modified Eagle Medium)</td>
			<td style="width:173px;">Gibco-Life Technologies</td>
			<td style="width:119px;">11966-025</td>
			<td>to dilute the liberase</td>
		</tr>
		<tr height="21">
			<td height="21" style="height:21px;width:216px;">Metamorph program</td>
			<td style="width:173px;">Molecular Devices, USA</td>
			<td style="width:119px;"></td>
			<td>to analyze the 2-photon images</td>
		</tr>
	</tbody>
</table>

leprdb mouse model of type 2 diabetes: pancreatic islet isolation and live-cell 2-photon imaging of intact islets

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease affecting 382 million people in 2013, and is expected to rise to 592 million by 2035 1. During the past 2 decades, the role of beta-cell dysfunction in type 2 diabetes has been clearly established 2. Research progress has required methods for the isolation of pancreatic islets. The protocol of the islet isolation presented here shares many common steps with protocols from other groups, with some modifications to improve the yield and quality of isolated islets from both the wild type and diabetic Leprdb (db/db) mice. A live-cell 2-photon imaging method is then presented that can be used to investigate the control of insulin secretion within islets.

Islet yield and purification
For a normal wild type mouse, about 200 islets are expected. Healthy islets look bright, round shaped and have a smooth border. An over-digested isolation batch usually has small and fuzzy islets while an under-digested batch has fewer islets and acinar cell attached islets (Figure&#160;3). For diabetic db/db mice, the islet yield and appearance depends on the disease progression with better glycemic mice have bigger, brighter and more islets (up t...

Watch this Scientific Journal Video about Leprdb Mouse Model of Type 2 Diabetes: Pancreatic Islet Isolation and Live-cell 2-Photon Imaging Of Intact Islets at JoVE.com

Leprdb Mouse Model of Type 2 Diabetes: Pancreatic Islet Isolation and Live-cell 2-Photon Imaging Of Intact Islets

We present here a protocol for the isolation of islets from the mouse model of type 2 diabetes, Leprdb and details of a live-cell assay for measurement of insulin secretion from intact islets that utilizes 2 photon microscopy.

Leprdb Mouse Model of Type 2 Diabetes: Pancreatic Islet Isolation and Live-cell 2-Photon Imaging Of Intact Islets

Type 2 diabetes is a chronic disease affecting 382 million people in 2013, and is expected to rise to 592 million by 2035 1. During the past 2 decades, ...

leprdb-mouse-model-type-2-diabetes-pancreatic-islet-isolation-live

Research

JoVE Journal

Medicine

9.3K Views.  The University of Queensland. We present here a protocol for the isolation of islets from the mouse model of type 2 diabetes, Leprdb and details of a live-cell assay for measurement of insulin secretion from intact islets that utilizes 2 photon microscopy.

Video: Leprdb Mouse Model of Type 2 Diabetes: Pancreatic Islet Isolation and Live-cell 2-Photon Imaging Of Intact Islets

Isolation of Human Islets from Partially Pancreatectomized Patients

Investigations into the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and islets of Langerhans malfunction 1 have been hampered by the limited availability of type 2 diabetic islets from organ donors2. Here we share our protocol for isolating islets from human pancreatic tissue obtained from type 2 diabetic and non-diabetic patients who have undergone partial pancreatectomy due to different pancreatic diseases (benign or malignant pancreatic tumors, chronic pancreatitis, and common bile duct or duodenal tumors). All patients involved gave their consent to this study, which had also been approved by the local ethics committee. The surgical specimens were immediately delivered to the pathologist who selected soft and healthy appearing pancreatic tissue for islet isolation, retaining the damaged tissue for diagnostic purposes. We found that to isolate more than 1,000 islets, we had to begin with at least 2 g of pancreatic tissue. Also essential to our protocol was to visibly distend the tissue when injecting the enzyme-containing media and subsequently mince it to aid digestion by increasing the surface area.
To extend the applicability of our protocol to include the occasional case in which a large amount (&gt;15g) of human pancreatic tissue is available , we used a Ricordi chamber (50 ml) to digest the tissue. During digestion, we manually shook the Ricordi chamber3 at an intensity that varied by specimen according to its level of tissue fibrosis. A discontinous Ficoll gradient was then used to separate the islets from acinar tissue. We noted that the tissue pellet should be small enough to be homogenously resuspended in Ficoll medium with a density of 1.125 g/ml. After isolation, we cultured the islets under stress free conditions (no shaking or rotation) with 5% CO2 at 37 &deg;C for at least 48 h in order to facilitate their functional recovery. Widespread application of our protocol and its future improvement could enable the timely harvesting of large quantities of human islets from diabetic and clinically matched non-diabetic subjects, greatly advancing type 2 diabetes research.

The supply of type 2 diabetic islets for research is insufficient. Here we share our protocol for isolating islets from patients undergoing partial pancreatectomy. This approach represents a unique venue for obtaining islets from type 2 diabetic and clinically matched non-diabetic subjects in adequate numbers for basic and clinical studies.

Investigations into the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes and islets of Langerhans malfunction 1 have been hampered by the limited availability of type 2 ...

Staining Protocols for Human Pancreatic Islets

Estimates of islet area and numbers and endocrine cell composition in the adult human pancreas vary from several hundred thousand to several million and beta mass ranges from 500 to 1500 mg 1-3. With this known heterogeneity, a standard processing and staining procedure was developed so that pancreatic regions were clearly defined and islets characterized using rigorous histopathology and immunolocalization examinations. 
Standardized procedures for processing human pancreas recovered from organ donors are described in part 1 of this series. The pancreas is processed into 3 main regions (head, body, tail) followed by transverse sections. Transverse sections from the pancreas head are further divided, as indicated based on size, and numbered alphabetically to denote subsections. This standardization allows for a complete cross sectional analysis of the head region including the uncinate region which contains islets composed primarily of pancreatic polypeptide cells to the tail region.
The current report comprises part 2 of this series and describes the procedures used for serial sectioning and histopathological characterization of the pancreatic paraffin sections with an emphasis on islet endocrine cells, replication, and T-cell infiltrates. Pathology of pancreatic sections is intended to characterize both exocrine, ductular, and endocrine components. The exocrine compartment is evaluated for the presence of pancreatitis (active or chronic), atrophy, fibrosis, and fat, as well as the duct system, particularly in relationship to the presence of pancreatic intraductal neoplasia4. Islets are evaluated for morphology, size, and density, endocrine cells, inflammation, fibrosis, amyloid, and the presence of replicating or apoptotic cells using H&amp;E and IHC stains. 
The final component described in part 2 is the provision of the stained slides as digitized whole slide images. The digitized slides are organized by case and pancreas region in an online pathology database creating a virtual biobank. Access to this online collection is currently provided to over 200 clinicians and scientists involved in type 1 diabetes research. The online database provides a means for rapid and complete data sharing and for investigators to select blocks for paraffin or frozen serial sections.

This video demonstrates procedures for characterization of human pancreatic islets using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Pancreatic sections from head, body, and tail regions are stained by both H&amp;E and IHC to determine islet endocrine composition (insulin, glucagon, and pancreatic polypeptide), cell replication (Ki67), and inflammatory infiltrates (H&E, CD3). The uncinate region is localized using IHC for pancreatic polypeptide.

Estimates of islet area and numbers and endocrine cell composition in the adult human pancreas vary from several hundred thousand to several million and ...

Neo-Islet Formation in Liver of Diabetic Mice by Helper-dependent Adenoviral Vector-Mediated Gene Transfer

Type 1 diabetes is caused by T cell-mediated autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Until now insulin replacement is still the major therapy, because islet transplantation has been limited by donor availability and by the need for long-term immunosuppression. Induced islet neogenesis by gene transfer of Neuogenin3 (Ngn3), the islet lineage-defining specific transcription factor and Betacellulin (Btc), an islet growth factor has the potential to cure type 1 diabetes.
Adenoviral vectors (Ads) are highly efficient gene transfer vector; however, early generation Ads have several disadvantages for in vivo use. Helper-dependent Ads (HDAds) are the most advanced Ads that were developed to improve the safety profile of early generation of Ads and to prolong transgene expression1. They lack chronic toxicity because they lack viral coding sequences2-5 and retain only Ad cis elements necessary for vector replication and packaging. This allows cloning of up to 36 kb genes.
In this protocol, we describe the method to generate HDAd-Ngn3 and HDAd-Btc and to deliver these vectors into STZ-induced diabetic mice. Our results show that co-injection of HDAd-Ngn3 and HDAd-Btc induces 'neo islets' in the liver and reverses hyperglycemia in diabetic mice.

We describe hepatic neo-islet formation in STZ (streptozotocin)-induced diabetic mice by gene transfer of Neurogenin3 (Ngn3) and Betacellulin (Btc) using helper-dependent adenoviral vector (HDAd) and the reversal of hyperglycemia. Our method takes advantages of helper-dependent adenoviral vectors with their highly efficient in vivo transduction and the long lasting gene expression.

Type 1 diabetes is caused by T cell-mediated autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Until now insulin replacement is still the ...

Quantifying Glomerular Permeability of Fluorescent Macromolecules Using 2-Photon Microscopy in Munich Wistar Rats

Kidney diseases involving urinary loss of large essential macromolecules, such as serum albumin, have long been thought to be caused by alterations in the permeability barrier comprised of podocytes, vascular endothelial cells, and a basement membrane working in unison. Data from our laboratory using intravital 2-photon microscopy revealed a more permeable glomerular filtration barrier (GFB) than previously thought under physiologic conditions, with retrieval of filtered albumin occurring in an early subset of cells called proximal tubule cells (PTC)1,2,3.
Previous techniques used to study renal filtration and establishing the characteristic of the filtration barrier involved micropuncture of the lumen of these early tubular segments with sampling of the fluid content and analysis4. These studies determined albumin concentration in the luminal fluid to be virtually non-existent; corresponding closely to what is normally detected in the urine. However, characterization of dextran polymers with defined sizes by this technique revealed those of a size similar to serum albumin had higher levels in the tubular lumen and urine; suggesting increased permeability5.
Herein is a detailed outline of the technique used to directly visualize and quantify glomerular fluorescent albumin permeability in vivo. This method allows for detection of filtered albumin across the filtration barrier into Bowman's space (the initial chamber of urinary filtration); and also allows quantification of albumin reabsorption by proximal tubules and visualization of subsequent albumin transcytosis6. The absence of fluorescent albumin along later tubular segments en route to the bladder highlights the efficiency of the retrieval pathway in the earlier proximal tubule segments. Moreover, when this technique was applied to determine permeability of dextrans having a similar size to albumin virtually identical permeability values were reported2. These observations directly support the need to expand the focus of many proteinuric renal diseases to included alterations in proximal tubule cell reclamation.

A technique utilizing high resolution intavital 2-photon microscopy to directly visualize and quantify gloemrular filtration in surface glomeruli. This method allows for direct determination of permeability characteristics of macromolecules in both normal and diseased states.

Kidney  diseases involving urinary loss of large essential macromolecules, such as  serum albumin, have long been thought to be caused by alterations in ...

A Zebrafish Model of Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolic Memory

Diabetes mellitus currently affects 346 million individuals and this is projected to increase to 400 million by 2030. Evidence from both the laboratory and large scale clinical trials has revealed that diabetic complications progress unimpeded via the phenomenon of metabolic memory even when glycemic control is pharmaceutically achieved. Gene expression can be stably altered through epigenetic changes which not only allow cells and organisms to quickly respond to changing environmental stimuli but also confer the ability of the cell to "memorize" these encounters once the stimulus is removed. As such, the roles that these mechanisms play in the metabolic memory phenomenon are currently being examined.
We have recently reported the development of a zebrafish model of type I diabetes mellitus and characterized this model to show that diabetic zebrafish not only display the known secondary complications including the changes associated with diabetic retinopathy, diabetic nephropathy and impaired wound healing but also exhibit impaired caudal fin regeneration. This model is unique in that the zebrafish is capable to regenerate its damaged pancreas and restore a euglycemic state similar to what would be expected in post-transplant human patients. Moreover, multiple rounds of caudal fin amputation allow for the separation and study of pure epigenetic effects in an in vivo system without potential complicating factors from the previous diabetic state. Although euglycemia is achieved following pancreatic regeneration, the diabetic secondary complication of fin regeneration and skin wound healing persists indefinitely. In the case of impaired fin regeneration, this pathology is retained even after multiple rounds of fin regeneration in the daughter fin tissues. These observations point to an underlying epigenetic process existing in the metabolic memory state. Here we present the methods needed to successfully generate the diabetic and metabolic memory groups of fish and discuss the advantages of this model.

Metabolic memory is the phenomenon by which diabetic complications persist and progress unimpeded even after euglycemia is achieved pharmaceutically. Here we describe a diabetes mellitus zebrafish model which is unique in that it allows for the examination of the mitotically transmissible epigenetic components of metabolic memory in vivo.

Diabetes mellitus currently affects 346 million individuals and this is projected to increase to 400 million by 2030. Evidence from both the laboratory ...

Isolation, Culture, and Imaging of Human Fetal Pancreatic Cell Clusters

For almost 30 years, scientists have demonstrated that human fetal ICCs transplanted under the kidney capsule of nude mice matured into functioning endocrine cells, as evidenced by a significant increase in circulating human C-peptide following glucose stimulation1-9. However in vitro, genesis of insulin producing cells from human fetal ICCs is low10; results reminiscent of recent experiments performed with human embryonic stem cells (hESC), a renewable source of cells that hold great promise as a potential therapeutic treatment for type 1 diabetes. Like ICCs, transplantation of partially differentiated hESC generate glucose responsive, insulin producing cells, but in vitro genesis of insulin producing cells from hESC is much less robust11-17. A complete understanding of the factors that influence the growth and differentiation of endocrine precursor cells will likely require data generated from both ICCs and hESC. While a number of protocols exist to generate insulin producing cells from hESC in vitro11-22, far fewer exist for ICCs10,23,24. Part of that discrepancy likely comes from the difficulty of working with human fetal pancreas. Towards that end, we have continued to build upon existing methods to isolate fetal islets from human pancreases with gestational ages ranging from 12 to 23 weeks, grow the cells as a monolayer or in suspension, and image for cell proliferation, pancreatic markers and human hormones including glucagon and C-peptide. ICCs generated by the protocol described below result in C-peptide release after transplantation under the kidney capsule of nude mice that are similar to C-peptide levels obtained by transplantation of fresh tissue6. Although the examples presented here focus upon the pancreatic endoderm proliferation and &#946;&#160;cell genesis, the protocol can be employed to study other aspects of pancreatic development, including exocrine, ductal, and other hormone producing cells.

A protocol to isolate, culture, and image islet cell clusters (ICCs) derived from human fetal pancreatic cells is described.&#160; The method details the steps necessary to generate ICCs from tissue, culture as monolayers or in suspension as aggregates, and image for markers of proliferation and pancreatic cell fate decisions.

For almost 30 years, scientists have demonstrated that human fetal ICCs transplanted under the kidney capsule of nude mice matured into functioning ...

Dynamic Contrast Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging of an Orthotopic Pancreatic Cancer Mouse Model

Dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) has been limitedly used for orthotopic pancreatic tumor xenografts due to severe respiratory motion artifact in the abdominal area. Orthotopic tumor models offer advantages over subcutaneous ones, because those can reflect the primary tumor microenvironment affecting blood supply, neovascularization, and tumor cell invasion. We have recently established a protocol of DCE-MRI of orthotopic pancreatic tumor xenografts in mouse models by securing tumors with an orthogonally bent plastic board to prevent motion transfer from the chest region during imaging. The pressure by this board was localized on the abdominal area, and has not resulted in respiratory difficulty of the animals. This article demonstrates the detailed procedure of orthotopic pancreatic tumor modeling using small animals and DCE-MRI of the tumor xenografts. Quantification method of pharmacokinetic parameters in DCE-MRI is also introduced. The procedure described in this article will assist investigators to apply DCE-MRI for orthotopic gastrointestinal cancer mouse models.

The goal of this protocol is to apply dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) for orthotopic pancreatic tumor xenografts in mice. DCE-MRI is a non-invasive method to analyze microvasculature in a target tissue, and useful to assess vascular response in a tumor following a novel therapy.

Dynamic contrast enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) has been limitedly used for orthotopic pancreatic tumor xenografts due to severe ...

Surgical Injury to the Mouse Pancreas through Ligation of the Pancreatic Duct as a Model for Endocrine and Exocrine Reprogramming and Proliferation

Expansion of pancreatic beta cells in vivo or ex vivo, or generation of beta cells by differentiation from an embryonic or adult stem cell, can provide new expandable sources of beta cells to alleviate the donor scarcity in human islet transplantation as therapy for diabetes. Although recent advances have been made towards this aim, mechanisms that regulate beta cell expansion and differentiation from a stem/progenitor cell remain to be characterized. Here, we describe a protocol for an injury model in the adult mouse pancreas that can function as a tool to study mechanisms of tissue remodeling and beta cell proliferation and differentiation. Partial duct ligation (PDL) is an experimentally induced injury of the rodent pancreas involving surgical ligation of the main pancreatic duct resulting in an obstruction of drainage of exocrine products out of the tail region of the pancreas. The inflicted damage induces acinar atrophy, immune cell infiltration and severe tissue remodeling. We have previously reported the activation of Neurogenin (Ngn) 3 expressing endogenous progenitor-like cells and an increase in beta cell proliferation after PDL. Therefore, PDL provides a basis to study signals involved in beta cell dynamics and the properties of an endocrine progenitor in adult pancreas. Since, it still remains largely unclear, which factors and pathways contribute to beta cell neogenesis and proliferation in PDL, a standardized protocol for PDL will allow for comparison across laboratories.

This protocol describes an injury model involving the surgical ligation of the pancreatic duct in the adult mouse pancreas, resulting in severe injury that establishes an environment that allows beta cell neogenesis and proliferation. This model can be used as a tool to study mechanisms involved in beta cell formation.

Expansion of pancreatic beta cells in vivo or ex vivo, or generation of beta cells by differentiation from an embryonic or adult stem cell, can provide ...

Intraportal Transplantation of Pancreatic Islets in Mouse Model

Pancreatic islet transplantation to reduce hyperglycemia is highly successful in rodents with chemically-induced diabetes. The most common transplantation site in experimental islet transplantation is the kidney capsule. However, as less is known about the interaction of pancreatic islets with blood constituents, it also makes sense to utilize the portal vein approach in experimental islet transplantation.
This protocol demonstrates an intraportal islet transplantation technique in NMRI nude mice. Streptozotocin (180 mg/kg) is injected intraperitoneally to induce hyperglycemia in recipient mice. They are considered as diabetic at a non-fasting blood glucose level greater than 20 mmol/L. One day prior to transplantation, mouse pancreatic islets are isolated from the donor pancreas by collagenase digestion; a minimum of 350 islets are utilized per diabetic recipient. Depending upon the islet isolation yield, two or more donor mice are utilized per recipient. After overnight culture at 37 &#176;C, islets are administered into the recipient liver via the portal vein. After surgery, the mice are protected in red Makrolon houses and observed until are awake. This protocol maintains glycemic control for 120 days in syngeneic mice and 15 days in allogeneic mice.

Pancreatic islet transplantation is a way to achieve normoglycemia in type 1 diabetes. This article focuses on the transplantation technique through the intraportal route to maintain normal glucose levels in diabetic mice.

Pancreatic islet transplantation to reduce hyperglycemia is highly successful in rodents with chemically-induced diabetes. The most common transplantation ...

Isometric Contractility Measurement of the Mouse Mesenteric Artery Using Wire Myography

The wire myograph technique is used to assess the contractility of vascular smooth muscles in response to depolarization, GPCR agonists/inhibitors and drugs. It is widely used in many studies on the physiological functions of vascular smooth muscle, the pathogenesis of vascular diseases such as hypertension, and the development of smooth muscle relaxant drugs. The mouse is a widely used model animal with a large pool of disease models and genetically modified strains. We introduced this method to measure the isometric contraction of mouse mesenteric artery in detail. A 1.4-mm segment of mouse mesenteric resistance artery was isolated and mounted on a myograph chamber by passing two steel wires through its lumen. After equilibration and normalization steps, the vessel segment was potentiated by a high-K+ solution twice prior to the contraction assay. As an example of the application of this method in drug development, we measured the relaxant effect of a novel natural substance, neoliensinine, isolated from a Chinese herb, embryos of the lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.) on mouse mesenteric arteries. The vessel segments mounted on the myograph chamber were stimulated with a high-K+ solution. When the force tension reached a stable sustained phase, cumulative doses of neoliensinine were added to the chamber. We found that neoliensinine had a dose-dependent relaxant effect on smooth muscle contraction, thus suggesting that it bears potential activity against hypertension. In addition, as the vessel segment can survive at least 4 hours after mounting and maintain contractility induced by the high-K+ solution for many times, we suggest that the wire myograph system may be used for the time-consuming process of drug screening.

The wire myograph technique is used to investigate vascular smooth muscle functions and screen new drugs. We report a detailed protocol for measuring the isometric contractility of the mouse mesenteric artery and for screening new relaxants of vascular smooth muscle.

The wire myograph technique is used to assess the contractility of vascular smooth muscles in response to depolarization, GPCR agonists/inhibitors and ...