Addition of endothelial cells to islet cultures promotes islet function <i>in vitro.</i>

<p>Real-Time PCR analyses of (<b>a</b>) insulin and (<b>b</b>) glucagon were performed on islets cultured in 2D or 3D microenvironments for 8 days, in the absence or presence of HFF and/or HUVEC. Values were normalized to mouse 18s and are presented as the recorded levels versus those of free islets cultured under the same conditions. Differential expression analyses of (<b>c</b>) insulin and (<b>d</b>) glucagon were performed by comparing their levels in 3D versus 2D islet culture on days 8 and 21. Values were normalized to mouse 18s RNA and are presented as the ratio of levels expressed in 3D versus 2D islet culture environments. (<b>e</b>) Real-Time PCR analyses of the mature islet genes <i>PDX1, NKX6.1, GLUT2, MAFA, PC1/3</i> and glucokinase were performed for islets cultured in 2D and 3D microenvironments, in the absence or presence of HFF and/or HUVEC. Values were normalized to mouse 18s and are presented as the ratio of the recorded levels versus those of free islets cultured under the same conditions.