FGF-21 enhances islet engraftment in mouse syngeneic islet transplantation model

To clarify the effect of fibroblast growth factor-21 (FGF-21) on islet transplantation, a suboptimal number of islets were transplanted into streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic mice with or without FGF-21 treatment. Three-day treatment with FGF-21 contributed to restoration of normoglycemia by suppressing islet graft loss. The FGF-21-treated mice showed lower glycemic levels despite similar insulin content in the graft than that in untreated mice on day 3, indicating that FGF-21 not only has a cytoprotective effect but also decreases beta-cell load by increasing insulin sensitivity. These results suggest that FGF-21 may be useful as a treatment to improve islet engraftment rates in clinical islet transplantation.