Differences in Baseline Lymphocyte Counts and Autoreactivity Are Associated With Differences in Outcome of Islet Cell Transplantation in Type 1 Diabetic Patients

OBJECTIVE—The metabolic outcome of islet cell transplants in type 1 diabetic patients is variable. This retrospective analysis examines whether differences in recipient characteristics at the time of transplantation are correlated with inadequate graft function. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS—Thirty nonuremic C-peptide–negative type 1 diabetic patients had received an intraportal islet cell graft of comparable size under an ATG-tacrolimus–mycophenolate mofetil regimen. Baseline patient characteristics were compared with outcome parameters during the first 6 posttransplant months (i.e., plasma C-peptide, glyce-mic variability, and gain of insulin independence). Correlations in univariate analysis were further examined in a multivariate model. RESULTS—Patients that did not become insulin independen