Delayed revascularization of islets after transplantation by IL-6 blockade in pig to non-human primate islet xenotransplantation model.

Our results demonstrated that tocilizumab can delay revascularization of the transplanted islet, although this effect had no significant correlation to the overall islet graft survival. In the pig to NHP islet xenotransplantation model, the endothelial cells from recipient monkey form new blood vessels in and around pig islets.