Journal of Clinical and Cellular Immunology
Open Access

Cytoglobin expression in transplanted pancreatic islets improves insulin production by enhanced oxygen supply and protects from cell death in diabetes

Joint Event on Annual Congress on Cellular Therapies, Cancer, Stem Cells and Bio Medical Engineering & 5^th International Conference on Pain Medicine and Pain Management

October 17-18, 2018 | New York, USA

Bhuvarahamurthy V

University of Madras, India

Keynote: J Clin Cell Immunol

Abstract :

Despite recent advances in pancreatic islet isolation techniques and changes in the regimen of immunosuppressive drugs, between 50 and 70% of islet cells are lost to hypoxic cell death within the first 10 to 14 days after isolation and subsequent transplantation. Islet survival must be increased during the ischemic period between isolation and revascularization if islet transplantation is to succeed as a preferred treatment modality. The present study directly addresses the problems associated with isolated and transplanted islets�?? survival. Here, the use of exogenous growth factors has decreased the period required for islet revascularization and potentially reduces the total time of ischemia, however, the resultant blood vessels surround but not penetrate the islets sufficiently to prevent prolonged ischemia and central islet cell death. Therefore, it must be recognized that revascularization is only part of the islet survival equation in islet transplants. Cytoglobin (CYGB) is a recently discovered intracellular oxygen binding protein inducible in islet beta cells during hypoxia. Transfection of islet cells with CYGB DNA induces the production of CYGB and increases islet survival and preserves insulin secretion in cultured and immunoisolated islets, and significantly reduces the generation of toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS). Our results also suggest that the increased survival of islets by the overexpression of CYGB promotes increased vascular density in transplanted islets and surrounding immunoisolation chambers. This result is of prime interest as CYGB induces Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) either directly or indirectly as a consequence of enhanced islet survival. The hypothesis examined by the present study is that the induction of cytoglobin will increase islet survival in isolated and transplanted islets, thereby reducing the number of islets required to prevent the reoccurrence of diabetes in the recipient. World population contains a significant percentage of diabetic patients or those at risk to develop diabetes from aging and diet, and from pancreatitis or pancreatic malignancy. The present study will provide new information relevant to the prevention of diabetes in those patients.

Biography :

Bhuvarahamurthy V has research and teaching experience gained in a prestigious institution including Harvard Medical School (Boston, USA), Weizmann Institute of Science (Israel), and Humboldt University (Berlin, Germany). His research areas are cancer genetics, metabolic disorder, cardiovascular and neurobiology. Skilled in assay development, cell culture, molecular biology, biochemistry, and KO mouse model creation, Human Genetics and Genomics. Excellent skills include teaching, presentation, collaboration and working in a team. Experienced in working with the supervisory role (experiment planning and oversee the plan execution), highly inquisitive, creative, and resourceful. Also experienced in writing validation protocols for biotech, medical devices and managing the protocol to completion.

E-mail: b.murthymedbio@gmail.com