Epigenetic biomarkers indicate islet cell death in xenotransplantation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Xenotransplantation of porcine islets has emerged in recent decades as a potential treatment for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Current methods of detection, indicative of successful engraftment, occur downstream of actual islet death. Epigenetic biomarkers can be detected in circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) to provide an earlier indication of graft dysfunction.

Aims

The present study identified a biomarker of islet death using differential methylation of the insulin gene, INS, originating from ?-cells in porcine islets.

Materials & methods

Pyrosequencing primers specific for porcine INS were designed to quantify hypomethylation along 12 cysteine-guanine dinucleotide (CpG) sites, including three sites in the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) response element (CRE) binding protein 2 (CRE2) binding region of the 5' untranslated region (UTR) and nine sites within intron 2.

Results

PCR amplification of bisulfite-converted DNA combined with pyrosequencing data support the conclusion that hypomethylated porcine INS is specific to islet origin.

Conclusion

Moreover, the results of this study indicate a highly specific epigenetic biomarker, capable of detecting a single islet, supporting the measurement of cfDNA as a biomarker for transplanted islet death. Defining the epigenetic characteristics of porcine-derived islets within cfDNA will be crucial to develop a better understanding of graft survival immunology for transplantation.

SUBMITTER: Faulk C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7162715 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature