1729-P: Role of ß-Cell Senescence in Islet Transplantation

Islet transplantation (Tx) is an effective intervention to prevent severe hypoglycemia and provide insulin independence in type 1 diabetes (T1D). Previous studies have shown that islets from older donors are less effective in reversing blood glucose (BG) than those of younger ones. Cellular senescence leads to age-related β-cell dysfunction and drives alloimmune responses to organs from older donors, but can be targeted with senolysis. However, the mechanism of pancreatic β-cell senescence in transplant grafts and its pathological significance are unknown. Therefore, we performed two types of islet Tx to test the hypothesis that cellular senescence may play a role in loss of graft functionality/viability and that the use of senolysis may ameliorate it: 1) overnight cultured 600 IEQ islets from normoglycemic rats were transplanted into kidney capsule of streptozotocin-induced diabetic immunodeficient mice (Stz-Ms). After 2 weeks, the grafts were removed and compared with the cultured islets (control). In Stz-Ms, the nuclear exclusion rate of Hmgb1 and p21-positive cells tended to increase, and the mRNA levels of p16, Il-6, and β-cells related genes were significantly higher than in control islets indicating β-cell senescence after transplantation. To test if the elimination of p16 positive senescent β-cells from transplanted islets improved BG levels, 2) 440 IEQ islets from INK-ATTAC mice (p16Ink4a mediated apoptosis through targeted activation of caspase) were transplanted into Stz-Ms and treated intraperitoneally with BB Homodimerizer (BB) or vehicle for 2 terms of 3 consecutive days, of which 2 weeks of rest. With senolysis, there was a decrease in fed glucose levels and p16 mRNA expression while expression of hallmark β-cell genes increased by 74%, which correlates with improved response to high glucose. In conclusion, islet transplantation increases β-cell senescence in grafts and senolysis improves β-cell function. This has important implications in increasing graft function and survival in the treatment of T1D. Disclosure K.Iwasaki: None. P.Carapeto: None. C.Aguayo-mazzucato: None. Funding Manpei Suzuki Diabetes Foundation