Inhibition of platelet adhesion onto intrahepatically transplanted islets using PEGylation for attenuating instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR)

Abstract

Intrahepatic islet transplantation has been clinically used for diabetes therapy. However, the transplanted islets are generally rejected by instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR), firstly occurring by platelet adhesion onto the islet surface. Here, to prevent IBMIR, the surfaces of islets were chemically modified by biocompatible PEG. The grafted PEG could prevent the platelet adhesion demonstrated by using a tubing loop model, and preserve the viability and functionality of the islets in vitro. In addition, after xenotransplantation of PEGylated islets into ICR mice, the islets could be well observed in the liver with attenuated adhesion of platelets and neutrophils. In contrast, intact islets without PEGylation were severely destroyed by the attached platelets. This study demonstrated that islet PEGylation could be a great remedy to prevent IBMIR after intrahepatic islet transplantation.