Improved activity of streptozotocin-selected insulinoma cells following microencapsulation and transplantation into diabetic mice

We have recently shown that repeated streptozotocin (STZ) treatment induces the selection of insulinoma cells (RINmS) with both improved resistance to diabetogenic toxins and functional activity, compared to parental RINm cells. The aim of the present study was to estimate the potential of RINmS cells to maintain their engineered characteristics during in vivo hyperglycemic conditions. It was found that microencapsulation and transplantation into diabetic mice preserved a three-fold higher level of insulin content in selected RINmS cells when compared to the parental ones. Retrieval of transplanted encapsulated cells from the peritoneal cavity of diabetic mice had a significantly higher insulin content and a more intense insulin response to secretogogues in selected RINmS cells when compared to retrieved RINm cells. In conclusion, our results show that RINmS cells do not lose their improved functional characteristics after encapsulation and transplantation into diabetic mice.