A mouse model for studying intrahepatic islet transplantation

Intrahepatic human islet transplantation has raised hopes for a cure for diabetes mellitus, especially in patients with type 1 diabetes; however, the need for a substantial amount of islets and, in many instances, repeated transplantations demonstrates underlying problems with this procedure, such as failure of angiogenesis and immunologic rejection. Studies using rodent models may be helpful in improving the success of islet transplantation. However, most of the studies using rodents for islet transplantation have been under the kidney capsule rather than the liver. Using islets from transgenic mice expressing green fluorescent protein under the control of mouse insulin I promoter, the authors have developed a method with which to visualize histologic and pathologic changes in intraportally transplanted islets and surrounding hepatic tissue using reflected light confocal imaging. Initial events 24 hr after islet transplantation in the liver include beta-cell loss and hepatic ischemic injuries.