Monolayer Culture of Pancreatic Islets from the Syrian Hamster

Pancreatic islets of Langerhans of the Syrian hamster were maintained in culture for as long as 43 wk. Islets were prepared by collagenase/hyaluronidase digestion of minced pancreas. The islets quickly attached to the plastic culture flasks and lost their spherical form as they flattened out to form circular monolayers. Few fibroblastoid cells were observed. As outward migration continued, the islets became vacuolated with the ultimate formation of monolayer rings. Throughout the culture period the beta cells continued to synthesize and secrete insulin. Furthermore, the cells maintained a responsiveness to glucose stimulation with increased rates of hormone secretion in the presence of elevated concentrations of the sugar. These studies demonstrate the suitability of Syrian hamster islets for studies involving long-term culture.