Transplantation of endocrine cells, especially when protected from immune destruction, is an attractive alternative to whole organ transplantation. The current treatment for adrenal insufficiency whether congenital or acquired is hormone replacement, which is not considered fully physiological. In this study, we isolated porcine adrenal cortical cells by collagenase digestion. The cells were microencapsulated in alginate-polylysine-alginate membranes using electrostatic droplet generator. In vitro, ACTH stimulation of both free and microencapsulated adrenal cortical cells produced comparable cortisol response. It can be concluded that the microencapsulation process is not injurious to the adrenal cortical cells and that it does not hamper their secretory function.
LimF., SunA.M.. Microencapsulated islets as bioartificial endocrine pancreas.Science1980; 21: 210.
2.
HommelM., SunA.M., GoosenM.F.A.. Droplet generation. Canadian Patent 458605, 1984.
3.
CutterG., LaneL.. Congenital adrenal hyperplasia due to 21-Hydroxylase deficiency.NEJM1990; 26: 323.
4.
BelloniA.S., VassanelliP., RobbaC.Ultrastructural observations on the regeneration of adrenocortical autotransplants in the rat spleen.J Anat1982; 135: 245–53.
5.
RobbaC., VassanelliP., MazzocchiG., NussdrorferG.G.. Effects of ACTH on adrenocortical cells autotransplanted in the rat spleen. Ultrastructural and morphometric observations.Exp Pathol1984; 25(2): 115–9.
6.
SaxeA.W., ConnorsM.. Autotransplantation of adrenal cortical tissue: a rodent model.Surgery1985; 98(6): 995–9.
7.
RicordiC., SantiagoJ.V., LacyP.E.. Use of culture and temporary immunosuppression to prolong adrenal cortical allograft survival.Endocrinology1987; 121(2): 745–8.
8.
BelloniA.S., NeriG., MusajoF.G., AndreisP.G.Investigations on the morphology and function of adrenocortical tissue regenerated from gland capsular fragments autotransplanted in the musculus gracelis of the rat.Endocrinology1990; 126(6): 3251–62.
9.
MatsumotoT.. Autotransplantation of the adrenal cortex into the spleen of dogs.JPN J Surg1990; 20(3): 307–15.
10.
RicordiC., LacyP.E., SantiagoJ.V.Transplantation of parathyroid, adrenal cortex and adrenal medulla using procedures which successfully prolonged islet allograft survival.Horm Met Res Suppl1990; 25: 132–5.
11.
RebuffatP., NeriG., AndreisP.G.Effect of prolonged treatment with adrenocorticotropin on the morphology and function of rat adrenocortical autotransplants.Cytobios1991; 65(216): 101–13.
12.
VendeicaP., MalgahaesM.M., MalgahaesM.C.. Autotransplantation of the adrenal cortex: a morphological and autoradiographic study.Anat Ree1992; 232(2): 262–72.
13.
WenzlE., RokarR., NiederleB.. Development and results of adrenal autotransplantation.Wein-Klin-Wochenschr1981; 93(19): 591–5.
14.
HardyJ.D., MooreD.O., LangfordH.G.. Cushing's disease today. Late follow up of 17 adrenalectomy patients with emphasis on eight with adrenal autotransplants.Ann Surg1985; 201(5): 595–603.
15.
KlempaI., MenzelJ., BacaI.. Subtotal adrenalectomy versus autotransplantation of the adrenal cortex: an alternative procedure in bilateral adrenalectomy in MEN II?Chirurg1989; 60(4): 266–71.
WongH., ChangT.M.S.. The viability of and regeneration of microencapsulated rat hepatocytes xenograft transplants in mice.Art Org1988; 16(4): 731–9.
19.
CaiZ., ShiZ., ShermanM., SunA.M.. Development and evaluation of a system of microencapsulation of primary rat hepatocytes.Hepatol1989; 10(5): 855–60.
20.
FuX.W., SunA.M.. Microencapsulated parathyroid cells as a bioartificial parathyroid.Transplant1989; 47(3): 432–5.
21.
GilliganK.J., LittlefieldS., JarvisA.P.. Production of rat monoclonal antibodies from rat X mouse hybridoma cell lines using microencapsulation technology.In Vitro Cell Develop Biol1988; 24(1): 35–41.
