Prolactin supplementation to culture medium improves beta-cell survival

OBJECTIVES.: Recent studies demonstrated that prolactin (PRL) has beneficial effects on β cells for islet transplantation. We examined the effect of human recombinant PRL (rhPRL) supplementation to the culture media to determine its potential use in the context of clinical islet transplantation. MATERIALS AND METHODS.: Each human islet isolated from 14 deceased multiorgan donors was cultured in Miami modified media-1 supplemented with or without rhPRL (500 μg/L) for 48 hr. β-Cell survival and proliferation (BrdU and Ki-67) were determined by laser scanning cytometry. The cytoprotective effects of rhPRL against noxious stimuli were assessed by flow cytometry (tetramethylrhodamine ethyl ester…