| abstract |
The addition of basic FGF-saporin mitotoxins selectively elminates fibroblastoids from human islets in culture and increases the ability of such islets to release insulin under basal and stimulated conditions. When such islets are attached to an extracellular matrix, in particular BCEM, the proliferation of islet cells is favored, and the ability of islets cultured in such manner to release insulin is further increased. Moreover, supplementation of the culture media with high glucose or insulin further improves the functioning of the human islets, resulting in augmented insulin release. Combinations of such procedures offer a novel approach towards the establishment of viable human islet cell monolayers for clinical and laboratory research. |