Immobilization of Sertoli cells on islets of Langerhans

Abstract

Sertoli cells play a crucial role in creating the immunoprivileged environment of the testis. We examined the survival of islets of Langerhans after co-transplantation with Sertoli cells. Sertoli cells near islets should protect the graft from rejection. In this study, conjugates of single stranded oligonucleotides, poly(ethylene glycol) and phospholipids (ssDNA-PEG-DPPE) were used to immobilize Sertoli cells on islets. The 20-mer of deoxyadenylic acid (oligo(dA)₂₀) and 20-mer of deoxythymidylic acid (oligo(dT)₂₀) were presented as ssDNAs on the surfaces of Sertoli cells and islets, respectively, through the hydrophobic interaction between a lipid unit of the conjugates and the cell membrane. The Sertoli cells were immobilized on the islets through hybridization between oligo(dA)₂₀ and oligo(dT)₂₀. When Sertoli cell-immobilized islets were infused into the liver of mice through the portal vein, the Sertoli cells remained around the islets.