Testing of a New Collagenase Blend for Pancreatic Islet Isolation Produced by Clostridium histolyticum

Clostridium histolyticum is used for production of several proteolytic enzymes such as elastase, neutral proteases, clostripain and in particular collagenase. Besides industrial applications, collagenase has been indispensable for medical purposes including isolation of pancreatic islets for diabetes treatment. The aim of this study was to optimize the method for production and partial purification of a new collagenase blend and to test its suitability for successful pancreatic islets isolation in a rat model. Bacterial strain of C. histolyticum was sequenced for presence of the collagenase genes. Different fermentation conditions were tested and the process of collagenase extraction was modified and optimized. Samples of collagenases were taken for western blot detection, activity assessment, and ability for dissociation of pancreatic tissue. Findings indicate that concentrated trypton growth medium with pepton was the most suitable for Clostridium growth and collagenase production. Whole genome sequencing revealed two genes for collagenase and also gene for clostripain. Western blot specific detection helped to select useful production modifications. Following these modifications was also improved the yield, morphology and in vitro function of intact pancreatic islets which were finally comparable or better than those achieved using standard blends of collagenase. The results support the use of the new collagenase blend for islet isolation giving thus the opportunity to choose an alternative product. Our next steps would lead to further enzyme purification through scaling up of the production method for a wider use.