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Co-localization of neuroendocrine hormones in the human fetal pancreas
G M Portela-Gomes1, H Johansson, L Olding
1Department of Pathology, University Hospital, Uppsala, Sweden.
Insights
This study reveals distinct hormone co-localization patterns in the developing human fetal pancreas, identifying two main groups: insulin with islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) and glucagon, and glucagon with secretin, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY).
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- The endocrine pancreas produces hormones regulating glucose metabolism.
- Understanding hormone co-localization is crucial for comprehending pancreatic islet development and function.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the co-localization of major pancreatic hormones and other peptides in the human fetal endocrine pancreas.
- To identify patterns of hormone co-expression during early gestation.
Main Methods:
- Utilized double and triple immunofluorescence staining techniques.
- Examined pancreatic tissue from human fetuses at 16, 18, and 22 weeks of gestation.
Main Results:
- Identified cells expressing insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), secretin, and peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY).
- Observed co-localization of two hormones in most endocrine cell types, with three hormones co-expressed in fewer cells, particularly in the youngest fetus.
- Found two distinct co-localization patterns: insulin with IAPP and glucagon; and secretin and PYY with glucagon and PP.
Conclusions:
- This study provides the first description of secretin and neurotensin expression in the fetal pancreas.
- Established two primary co-localization patterns within the developing human pancreatic islets.
Objective And Design:
Co-localization of the four major pancreatic hormones, and also of islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP), peptide tyrosine tyrosine (PYY), secretin and neurotensin, has been studied in the endocrine pancreas of human fetuses at 16, 18 and 22 weeks of gestation.
Methods:
Double and triple immunofluorescence stainings have been used.
Results:
All three fetal pancreata contained cells that showed insulin, glucagon, somatostatin, pancreatic polypeptide (PP), IAPP, secretin and PYY immunoreactivity. Neurotensin cells were found in the youngest fetus and gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) in the two older fetuses. Co-localization of two hormones occurred in most of the endocrine cell types in the three fetuses examined, but three hormones occurred in only a few cells and especially in the youngest fetus. Somatostatin cells were the only cell type which was largely monohormonal. Our findings showed that there are two different co-localization patterns: insulin was co-localized mainly with IAPP and glucagon, while secretin and PYY occurred together with glucagon and PP.
Conclusions:
These data are the first to describe secretin and neurotensin in the fetal pancreas. Two different co-localization patterns could be distinguished: insulin, IAPP and glucagon, and glucagon, secretin, PP and PYY.