In vitro profiling of endocrine cell death using UCHL1 and GAD65 as soluble biomarkers

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic islet grafts are cultured in vitro prior to transplantation and this is associated to a variable degree of beta cell loss. Optimization of culture conditions is currently hampered by the lack of a specific and sensitive in vitro indicator of beta cell death. METHODS: We developed a high-sensitivity duplex bead-based immunoassay for two protein-type biomarkers of beta cell destruction, GAD65 and UCHL1, and investigated its proficiency for in vitro toxicity profiling on rodent and human beta cells, as compared to a semi-automatic and manual image-based assessment of beta cell death, and in vivo after intraportal islet transplantation. RESULTS: Both GAD65 and UCHL1 were discharged by necrotic and apoptotic beta cells proportionate to the number of dead beta cells as counted by microscopic methods. In vitro, UCHL1 was superior to GAD65, in terms of biomarker stability providing more sensitive detection of low grade beta cell death. In vivo, however, GAD65 was consistently detected after islet transplantation while UCHL1 remained undetectable. CONCLUSION: The use of soluble biomarkers represents a fast, selective and sensitive method for beta cell toxicity profiling in vitro. UCHL1 is superior to GAD65 in vitro but not in vivo.