Acinar cells free pure islets for transplantation from Indian bonnet monkeys.

Pancreatic islets, completely free of acinar cells were isolated from the Indian bonnet monkey Macaca radiata radiata for transplantation studies. The monkey pancreas was inflated with Hank's solution containing collagenase (5 mg/ml). After incubation for 25 min at 37 degrees C the friable pancreas was teased apart. The fragments were aspirated with a 20 ml disposable syringe (without needle) twice and ejected. After the third aspiration, the homogenate was poured over nylon mesh. Islets were separated from the filtrate by centrifugation in Ficoll gradients and then hand picked. Histological examination revealed that the islets were completely free of acinar cells. On exposure to glucose, the islets responded normally with increased insulin release. They retained their structural integrity after transplantation under the renal capsule of normal rats treated with cyclosporine. The deleterious effect of exocrine cells after transplantation will be completely eliminated by this islet preparation.