Vascularized composite islet-kidney transplantation in a miniature swine model

Previous work from this laboratory has demonstrated that transplantation of allogeneic thymic tissue as part of a composite vascularized graft is far more successful in terms of both engraftment and long-term survival than transplantation of thymic tissue or cells alone. We have subsequently extended this concept to transplantation of allogeneic islets, comparing survival of islet cell suspensions to that of vascularized composite islet-kidneys (IK), prepared by injection of autologous islets underneath the renal capsule 2-3 months prior to allogeneic transplantation of the composite organ.