MULTIPLE PEGYLATION OF PANCREATIC ISLETS FOR IMMUNOPROTECTION IN ISLET TRANSPLANTATION

  • Yang, Kyung-Wook (Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, Kwangju Institute of Science and Technology) ;
  • Lee, Moon-Kyu (Div. of Endocrinology & Metabolism, School of Medicine, Sungkyunkwan University) ;
  • Byun, Young-Ro (Dept. of Materials Science and Engineering, Kwangju Institute of Science and Technology)
  • Published : 2000.11.09

Abstract

We studied the viability and function of islet with monomethoxy polyethylene glycol (mPEG) grafted onto its membrane. Islets were isolated from rat and were repeatedly reacted with activated mPEG (mw 5000) in order to increase grafting density. The density of grafted PEG on the islet membrane was confirmed by Fluorescein-PEG-NHS. An assessment of islet viability using AO / PI staining method showed that multiple PEGylation did not reduce islet viability. The function of PEG grafted islets was evaluated by measuring released insulin from islets. Insulin secreted from the PEGylated islets for 1 h did not show any significant difference compared to control (non-PEGylated) islets. In addition, PEGylated islets responded in the same pattern as control islets in the perifusion test.

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