scholarly journals Shaping Pancreatic β-Cell Differentiation and Functioning: The Influence of Mechanotransduction

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 413 ◽  
Author(s):  
Galli Alessandra ◽  
Marku Algerta ◽  
Marciani Paola ◽  
Schulte Carsten ◽  
Lenardi Cristina ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Regulatory Mechanisms ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Great Promise ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Functional Studies

Embryonic and pluripotent stem cells hold great promise in generating β-cells for both replacing medicine and novel therapeutic discoveries in diabetes mellitus. However, their differentiation in vitro is still inefficient, and functional studies reveal that most of these β-like cells still fail to fully mirror the adult β-cell physiology. For their proper growth and functioning, β-cells require a very specific environment, the islet niche, which provides a myriad of chemical and physical signals. While the nature and effects of chemical stimuli have been widely characterized, less is known about the mechanical signals. We here review the current status of knowledge of biophysical cues provided by the niche where β-cells normally live and differentiate, and we underline the possible machinery designated for mechanotransduction in β-cells. Although the regulatory mechanisms remain poorly understood, the analysis reveals that β-cells are equipped with all mechanosensors and signaling proteins actively involved in mechanotransduction in other cell types, and they respond to mechanical cues by changing their behavior. By engineering microenvironments mirroring the biophysical niche properties it is possible to elucidate the β-cell mechanotransductive-regulatory mechanisms and to harness them for the promotion of β-cell differentiation capacity in vitro.

Cellular plasticity of the pancreas

2009 ◽  
Vol 390 (10) ◽  
Author(s):  
Luc Baeyens ◽  
Luc Bouwens
Keyword(s):  
Diabetes Mellitus ◽  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Cell Replacement Therapy ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Pancreatic Cell ◽  
Cell Replacement

Abstract Cell replacement therapy holds promises for treatment of patients suffering from diabetes mellitus. When determining the appropriate strategies to amplify the amount of transplantable β-cells, sufficient knowledge of the developmental programs regulating β-cell differentiation is crucial. Here, we describe the plasticity of the different pancreatic cell types in vivo and in vitro and their potential to serve as β-cell progenitor.

scholarly journals Molecular regulation of pancreatic β-cell mass development, maintenance, and expansion

2007 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 193-206 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda M Ackermann ◽  
Maureen Gannon
Keyword(s):  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Pancreatic Development ◽  
Proliferation And Apoptosis ◽  
Patients With Diabetes ◽  
Mass Development ◽  
Differentiation And Proliferation

Pancreatic β-cells are responsible for producing all of the insulin required by an organism to maintain glucose homeostasis. Defects in development, maintenance, or expansion of β-cell mass can result in impaired glucose metabolism and diabetes. Thus, identifying the molecular regulators of these processes may provide new therapeutic targets for diabetes. Additionally, understanding the processes of β-cell differentiation and proliferation may allow for in vitro cultivation of β-cells in sufficient amounts to be transplanted into patients with diabetes. This review addresses many of the transcription factors and signaling pathways that play a role in early pancreatic development and endocrine cell (specifically β-cell) differentiation, conditions that influence β-cell mass development and molecular regulators of β-cell proliferation and apoptosis that are responsible for maintaining and expanding β-cell mass.

scholarly journals β-Cell Differentiation from a Human Pancreatic Cell Line in Vitro and in Vivo

2001 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 476-483 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Dufayet de la Tour ◽  
Tanya Halvorsen ◽  
Carla Demeterco ◽  
Björn Tyrberg ◽  
Pamela Itkin-Ansari ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Secretion ◽  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Cell Transplantation ◽  
Cell Lines ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Cell Transplantation Therapy ◽  
Transplantation Therapy

Abstract Cell transplantation therapy for diabetes is limited by an inadequate supply of cells exhibiting glucose-responsive insulin secretion. To generate an unlimited supply of human β-cells, inducibly transformed pancreatic β-cell lines have been created by expression of dominant oncogenes. The cell lines grow indefinitely but lose differentiated function. Induction of β-cell differentiation was achieved by stimulating the signaling pathways downstream of the transcription factor PDX-1, cell-cell contact, and the glucagon-like peptide (GLP-1) receptor. Synergistic activation of those pathways resulted in differentiation into functional β-cells exhibiting glucose-responsive insulin secretion in vitro. Both oncogene-expressing and oncogene-deleted cells were transplanted into nude mice and found to exhibit glucose-responsive insulin secretion in vivo. The ability to grow unlimited quantities of human β-cells is a major step toward developing a cell transplantation therapy for diabetes.

scholarly journals Debates in Pancreatic Beta Cell Biology: Proliferation Versus Progenitor Differentiation and Transdifferentiation in Restoring β Cell Mass

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Erick Spears ◽  
Ioannis Serafimidis ◽  
Alvin C. Powers ◽  
Anthony Gavalas
Keyword(s):  
Cell Biology ◽  
Pancreatic Beta Cell ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Pancreatic Cell ◽  
Experimental Approaches ◽  
Genetic Interventions

In all forms of diabetes, β cell mass or function is reduced and therefore the capacity of the pancreatic cells for regeneration or replenishment is a critical need. Diverse lines of research have shown the capacity of endocrine as well as acinar, ductal and centroacinar cells to generate new β cells. Several experimental approaches using injury models, pharmacological or genetic interventions, isolation and in vitro expansion of putative progenitors followed by transplantations or a combination thereof have suggested several pathways for β cell neogenesis or regeneration. The experimental results have also generated controversy related to the limitations and interpretation of the experimental approaches and ultimately their physiological relevance, particularly when considering differences between mouse, the primary animal model, and human. As a result, consensus is lacking regarding the relative importance of islet cell proliferation or progenitor differentiation and transdifferentiation of other pancreatic cell types in generating new β cells. In this review we summarize and evaluate recent experimental approaches and findings related to islet regeneration and address their relevance and potential clinical application in the fight against diabetes.

scholarly journals Enhanced insulin secretion and improved glucose tolerance in mice with homozygous inactivation of the Na+K+2Cl− co-transporter 1

2012 ◽  
Vol 215 (1) ◽  
pp. 59-70 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saeed Alshahrani ◽  
Mauricio Di Fulvio
Keyword(s):  
Insulin Secretion ◽  
Glucose Tolerance ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Chloride Concentration ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Functional Alleles

The intracellular chloride concentration ([Cl−]i) in β-cells plays an important role in glucose-stimulated plasma membrane depolarisation and insulin secretion. [Cl−]i is maintained above equilibrium in β-cells by the action of Cl− co-transporters of the solute carrier family 12 group A (Slc12a). β-Cells express Slc12a1 and Slc12a2, which are known as the bumetanide (BTD)-sensitive Na+-dependent K+2Cl− co-transporters 2 and 1 respectively. We show that mice lacking functional alleles of the Slc12a2 gene exhibit better fasting glycaemia, increased insulin secretion in response to glucose, and improved glucose tolerance when compared with wild-type (WT). This phenomenon correlated with increased sensitivity of β-cells to glucose in vitro and with increased β-cell mass. Further, administration of low doses of BTD to mice deficient in Slc12a2 worsened their glucose tolerance, and low concentrations of BTD directly inhibited glucose-stimulated insulin secretion from β-cells deficient in Slc12a2 but expressing intact Slc12a1 genes. Together, our results suggest for the first time that the Slc12a2 gene is not necessary for insulin secretion and that its absence increases β-cell secretory capacity. Further, impairment of insulin secretion with BTD in vivo and in vitro in islets lacking Slc12a2 genes unmasks a potential new role for Slc12a1 in β-cell physiology.

scholarly journals Harnessing Proliferation for the Expansion of Stem Cell-Derived Pancreatic Cells: Advantages and Limitations

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amanda Oakie ◽  
Maria Cristina Nostro
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cell ◽  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
Cellular Proliferation ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Cell Mass ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Pancreatic Cells

Restoring the number of glucose-responsive β-cells in patients living with diabetes is critical for achieving normoglycemia since functional β-cells are lost during the progression of both type 1 and 2 diabetes. Stem cell-derived β-cell replacement therapies offer an unprecedented opportunity to replace the lost β-cell mass, yet differentiation efficiencies and the final yield of insulin-expressing β-like cells are low when using established protocols. Driving cellular proliferation at targeted points during stem cell-derived pancreatic progenitor to β-like cell differentiation can serve as unique means to expand the final cell therapeutic product needed to restore insulin levels. Numerous studies have examined the effects of β-cell replication upon functionality, using primary islets in vitro and mouse models in vivo, yet studies that focus on proliferation in stem cell-derived pancreatic models are only just emerging in the field. This mini review will discuss the current literature on cell proliferation in pancreatic cells, with a focus on the proliferative state of stem cell-derived pancreatic progenitors and β-like cells during their differentiation and maturation. The benefits of inducing proliferation to increase the final number of β-like cells will be compared against limitations associated with driving replication, such as the blunted capacity of proliferating β-like cells to maintain optimal β-cell function. Potential strategies that may bypass the challenges induced by the up-regulation of cell cycle-associated factors during β-cell differentiation will be proposed.

scholarly journals Pericytes contribute to the islet basement membranes to promote beta-cell gene expression

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lina Sakhneny ◽  
Alona Epshtein ◽  
Limor Landsman
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Cell Function ◽  
Basement Membranes ◽  
Cell Physiology ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Cell Clustering ◽  
Β Cell Function ◽  
Cell Gene Expression ◽  
Glucose Stimulated Insulin Secretion

Abstractβ-Cells depend on the islet basement membrane (BM). While some islet BM components are produced by endothelial cells (ECs), the source of others remains unknown. Pancreatic pericytes directly support β-cells through mostly unidentified secreted factors. Thus, we hypothesized that pericytes regulate β-cells through the production of BM components. Here, we show that pericytes produce multiple components of the mouse pancreatic and islet interstitial and BM matrices. Several of the pericyte-produced ECM components were previously implicated in β-cell physiology, including collagen IV, laminins, proteoglycans, fibronectin, nidogen, and hyaluronan. Compared to ECs, pancreatic pericytes produce significantly higher levels of α2 and α4 laminin chains, which constitute the peri-islet and vascular BM. We further found that the pericytic laminin isoforms differentially regulate mouse β-cells. Whereas α2 laminins promoted islet cell clustering, they did not affect gene expression. In contrast, culturing on Laminin-421 induced the expression of β-cell genes, including Ins1, MafA, and Glut2, and significantly improved glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Thus, alongside ECs, pericytes are a significant source of the islet BM, which is essential for proper β-cell function.

scholarly journals Production of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Hepatic Cell Lineages and Liver Organoids: Current Status and Potential Applications

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 36 ◽  
Author(s):  
João P. Cotovio ◽  
Tiago G. Fernandes
Keyword(s):  
Cell Types ◽  
In Vitro Models ◽  
Hepatic Cell ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Organ Shortage ◽  
Cell Lineages ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Liver Organoids

Liver disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, leading to the death of approximately 2 million people per year. Current therapies include orthotopic liver transplantation, however, donor organ shortage remains a great challenge. In addition, the development of novel therapeutics has been limited due to the lack of in vitro models that mimic in vivo liver physiology. Accordingly, hepatic cell lineages derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) represent a promising cell source for liver cell therapy, disease modelling, and drug discovery. Moreover, the development of new culture systems bringing together the multiple liver-specific hepatic cell types triggered the development of hPSC-derived liver organoids. Therefore, these human liver-based platforms hold great potential for clinical applications. In this review, the production of the different hepatic cell lineages from hPSCs, including hepatocytes, as well as the emerging strategies to generate hPSC-derived liver organoids will be assessed, while current biomedical applications will be highlighted.

Dynamic interaction between T cell-mediated β-cell damage and β-cell repair in the run up to autoimmune diabetes of the NOD mouse

2005 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 201-211 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sankaranand S. Vukkadapu ◽  
Jenine M. Belli ◽  
Koji Ishii ◽  
Anil G. Jegga ◽  
John J. Hutton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cell Differentiation ◽  
T Cell ◽  
T Cell Activation ◽  
Autoimmune Diabetes ◽  
Cellular Adhesion ◽  
Nod Mouse ◽  
Gene Control ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Pancreatic Β Cells

In type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), also known as autoimmune diabetes, the pathogenic destruction of the insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells is under the control of and influenced by distinct subsets of T lymphocytes. To identify the critical genes expressed by autoimmune T cells, antigen presenting cells, and pancreatic β-cells during the evolution of T1DM in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse, and the genetically-altered NOD mouse (BDC/N), we used functional genomics. Microarray analysis revealed increased transcripts of genes encoding inflammatory cytokines, particularly interleukin (IL)-17, and islet cell regenerating genes, Reg3α, Reg3β, and Reg3γ. Our data indicate that progression to insulitis was connected to marked changes in islet antigen expression, β-cell differentiation, and T cell activation and signaling, all associated with tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-6 expression. Overt diabetes saw a clear shift in cytokine, chemokine, and T cell differentiation factor expression, consistent with a focused Th1 response, as well as a significant upregulation in genes associated with cellular adhesion, homing, and apoptosis. Importantly, the temporal pattern of expression of key verified genes suggested that T1DM develops in a relapsing/remitting as opposed to a continuous fashion, with insulitis linked to hypoxia-regulated gene control and diabetes with C/EBP and Nkx2 gene control.

scholarly journals Increased vimentin in human α- and β-cells in type 2 diabetes

2017 ◽  
Vol 233 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maaike M Roefs ◽  
Françoise Carlotti ◽  
Katherine Jones ◽  
Hannah Wills ◽  
Alexander Hamilton ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Type 2 Diabetes ◽  
Epithelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Islet Cells ◽  
Cell Types ◽  
Β Cells ◽  
Β Cell ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Cell Expression

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is associated with pancreatic islet dysfunction. Loss of β-cell identity has been implicated via dedifferentiation or conversion to other pancreatic endocrine cell types. How these transitions contribute to the onset and progression of T2DM in vivo is unknown. The aims of this study were to determine the degree of epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition occurring in α and β cells in vivo and to relate this to diabetes-associated (patho)physiological conditions. The proportion of islet cells expressing the mesenchymal marker vimentin was determined by immunohistochemistry and quantitative morphometry in specimens of pancreas from human donors with T2DM (n = 28) and without diabetes (ND, n = 38) and in non-human primates at different stages of the diabetic syndrome: normoglycaemic (ND, n = 4), obese, hyperinsulinaemic (HI, n = 4) and hyperglycaemic (DM, n = 8). Vimentin co-localised more frequently with glucagon (α-cells) than with insulin (β-cells) in the human ND group (1.43% total α-cells, 0.98% total β-cells, median; P < 0.05); these proportions were higher in T2DM than ND (median 4.53% α-, 2.53% β-cells; P < 0.05). Vimentin-positive β-cells were not apoptotic, had reduced expression of Nkx6.1 and Pdx1, and were not associated with islet amyloidosis or with bihormonal expression (insulin + glucagon). In non-human primates, vimentin-positive β-cell proportion was larger in the diabetic than the ND group (6.85 vs 0.50%, medians respectively, P < 0.05), but was similar in ND and HI groups. In conclusion, islet cell expression of vimentin indicates a degree of plasticity and dedifferentiation with potential loss of cellular identity in diabetes. This could contribute to α- and β-cell dysfunction in T2DM.

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