Extended survival vs accelerated rejection of nonhuman primate islet allografts: Effect of mesenchymal stem cell source and timing.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) have been shown to be immunomodulatory, tissue regenerative and graft promoting; however, several questions remain with regard to ideal MSC source and timing of administration. In this study, we utilized a rigorous preclinical model of allogeneic islet cell transplantation, incorporating reduced immune suppression and near to complete mismatch of major histocompatibility antigens between the diabetic cynomolgus monkey recipient and the islet donor, to evaluate both the graft promoting impact of MSC source, i.e., derived from the islet recipient, the islet donor or an unrelated 3rd party as well as the impact of timing. Co-transplant of MSC and islets on post-operative day 0, followed by additional IV MSC infusions in the first post-transplant month, resulted in prolongation of rejection free and overall islet survival and superior metabolic control for animals treated with recipient as compared to donor or 3rd party MSC. Immunological analyses demonstrated that infusion of MSC from either source did not prevent alloantibody formation to the islet or MSC donor; however, treatment with recipient MSC resulted in significant downregulation of memory T cells, decreased anti-donor T cell proliferation and a trend toward increased Tregulatory:Tconventional ratios.