Pancreatic islet xenografts at two different transplantation sites (renal subcapsular versus intraportal): Comparison of graft survival and morphology

Our primary objective in this study was to determine the effect of two different transplantation sites (renal capsule vs. portal vein) on islet xenograft survival and graft morphology. 59 chemically induced diabetic C57BL/6J mice were transplanted either intraportally (n = 30) or under the left renal capsule (n = 29) receiving 300-350 either freshly isolated or culture pretreated (37 degrees C or 22 degrees C) Lewis rat islets without any immunosuppressive therapy. Histology was performed by immunohistochemical staining to examine the morphologic pattern after rejection or after post-transplant normoglycemia for more than 120 days. Life table analysis revealed a significant (p < 0.001) prolongation of xenograft survival using the renal capsule as transplantation site. 75% graft rejection occurred 56 days after transplantation when the renal capsule was used, compared to 19.5 days intraportal. The intriguing finding was that graft morphology was different depending on the transplantation site. After transplantation under the renal capsule we observed predominantly a more periinsular infiltration with focal aggregates of mononuclear cells at the periphery of the graft. This pattern was more consistent with a non-destructive type of insulitis. In contrast, we found direct infiltration of the transplanted islets following intraportal transplantation reflecting a more destructive type of insulitis. In summary, we could demonstrate a significant prolongation of islet xenograft survival by using the renal capsule as transplantation site in contrast to intraportal transplantation. The morphological pattern possibly indicates two different mechanisms of rejection depending on the transplantation site.