Lymphokine release from human lymphomononuclear cells after co-culture with isolated pancreatic islets: Effects of islet species, long-term culture, and monocyte-macrophage cell removal

This study evaluated the release of Th, and Th, cytokines from human lympho mononuclear cells (LMC) in response to purified human (HI) or bovine (BI) i slets, and the role of long-term (3-4 weeks) islet culture and removal of m onocyte-macrophage cells, The results showed that HI and BI caused a simila r increase of the release of gamma interferon (IFN), IL-2 and IL-6 from LMC , whereas BT had a more marked effect than HZ on IL-10 release. Culturing t he islets had possible positive effects (reduction of IFN and IL-2), but al so potentially negative effects (increase of TNF). Removal of monocyte-macr ophage cells determined a significant reduction of IL-6, IL-10 and TNF prod uction in response to xeno-islets. (C) 2000 Academic Press.