Characterization of Innate Immunity in an Extended Whole Blood Model of Human Islet Allotransplantation

The instant blood-mediated inflammatory reaction (IBMIR) has been studied in whole blood models of human allo-islet transplantation for short periods (<6 h). Beyond this time frame the innate response to intraportally transplanted islets is less well described. A novel whole blood model was applied to study blood islet graft interactions up to 48 h. Heparinized polyvinyl chloride tubing was sealed into small bags containing venous blood together with allogeneic human islets and exocrine tissue, respectively. The bags were attached to a rotating wheel (37 degrees C). Concentrated glucose and sodium hydrogen carbonate were added every 12 h to maintain physiological limits for sustained immune cell functions. Plasma was collected at repeated time points for analyses of coagulation/complement activation and chemokine/cytokine production. Immune cell infiltration was analyzed using immunohistochemistry. Coagulation and platelet activation markers, thrombin antithrombin complex (TAT) and soluble CD40 ligand (sCD4OL) showed early high concentrations (at 6-12 h). sC5b-9 steadily increased over 48 h. At 6 h neutrophils and monocytes surrounded the clotted cellular grafts with a following massive infiltration of neutrophils. High and increasing concentrations of CXCR1/2 ligands [IL-8 and growth-regulated oncogene alpha/beta/gamma (Gro-alpha/beta/gamma)] and IL-6 were produced in response to human islets and exocrine tissue. The CCR2 ligand monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 (MCP-1) exhibited increasing concentrations in response to exocrine tissue. The CXCR3 ligand interferon-inducible T cell alpha chemoattractant (I-TAC) was produced in response to both human islets and exocrine tissue from 6 h. Monokine induced by yinterferon (Mig) and interferon gamma-induced protein 10 (IP-10) showed a later response, preferentially to exocrine tissue and with larger variations among preparations. An extended blood model of clinical islet transplantation allowed characterization of early immune activation in response to human islets and exocrine tissue. Increased production of chemokines targeting CXCR1/2, CCR2, and CXCR3 was observed, accompanied by massive intraislet neutrophil infiltration over 48 h. The model proved to be useful in exploring early blood-mediated reactions to cellular transplants and has relevance for evaluation of pharmacological interventions to prevent graft loss.