Significant manipulative procedures to reduce immunogenicity of human islet allografts.

Immunofluorescence studies and mixed Iymphocyte islet culture (MLlC) tests were performed using cryopreserved crude human islet preparations l and various HLAas well as cell type-specific monoclonal antibodies in order to (a) locate the potentially immunogenic cells and (b) demonstrate their functional relevance before and after antibody incubation. Microscopic evaluation of exocrine and endocrine tissue components of crude islet preparations was greatly facilitated by the islet-specific dithizone staining technique.