Differential regulation of embryonic and adult β cell replication |
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Authors: | Uma Gunasekaran Courtney W Hudgens Brian T Wright Matthew F Maulis Maureen Gannon |
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Institution: | 1.Department of Medicine; Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology and Metabolism; Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN USA;2.Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN USA;3.Department of Cell and Developmental Biology; Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Nashville, TN USA;4.VA Medical Center; Nashville, TN USA |
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Abstract: | Diabetes results from an inadequate functional β cell mass, either due to autoimmune destruction (Type 1 diabetes) or insulin resistance combined with β cell failure (Type 2 diabetes). Strategies to enhance β cell regeneration or increase cell proliferation could improve outcomes for patients with diabetes. Research conducted over the past several years has revealed that factors regulating embryonic β cell mass expansion differ from those regulating replication ofβ cells post-weaning. This article aims to compare and contrast factors known to control embryonic and postnatal β cell replication. In addition, we explore the possibility that connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) could increase adult β cell replication. We have already shown that CTGF is required for embryonicβ cell proliferation and is sufficient to induce replication of embryonic β cells. Here we examine whether adult β cell replication and expansion of β cell mass can be enhanced by increased CTGF expression in mature β cells. |
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Keywords: | connective tissue growth factor diabetes embryogenesis pancreatic β cell replication |
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