Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 28, 2026

Isolation, Culture, and Imaging of Human Fetal Pancreatic Cell Clusters
08:09

Isolation, Culture, and Imaging of Human Fetal Pancreatic Cell Clusters

Published on: May 18, 2014

Insulin and insulin-like growth factors in human development: implications for the perinatal period

M E Fant1, D Weisoly

  • 1Deportment of Pediatrics, University of Texas, Houston Medical School, 77030, USA.

Seminars in Perinatology
|January 10, 2002
PubMed

Insights

Insulin and insulin-like growth factors are crucial for fetal development, differing from postnatal growth regulation. Understanding these pathways may lead to new therapies for preterm infants.

Area of Science:

  • Physiology
  • Cell Biology
  • Clinical Medicine

Background:

  • Fetal growth regulation involves distinct mechanisms compared to postnatal development.
  • Insulin and insulin-like growth factors (IGFs) play vital roles in fetal development.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review recent advances in understanding the role of insulin and IGFs in fetal growth.
  • To explore the relevance of IGF mechanisms in preterm infant injury and potential therapeutic strategies.

Main Methods:

  • Review of clinical medicine, cell and molecular biology, and physiology literature.
  • Synthesis of current knowledge on insulin and IGF signaling in fetal development.

Main Results:

  • Insulin and the IGF family are central regulators of fetal growth.
  • IGF mechanisms are critical for tissue-specific development and may be implicated in preterm infant injury.

Conclusions:

  • The insulin/IGF axis is essential for normal fetal growth.
  • Targeting the IGF axis offers potential therapeutic strategies for reducing morbidity in preterm infants.

More Related Videos

A High-content In Vitro Pancreatic Islet β-cell Replication Discovery Platform09:35

A High-content In Vitro Pancreatic Islet β-cell Replication Discovery Platform

Published on: July 16, 2016

Optimized Protocol for Generating Functional Pancreatic Insulin-secreting Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells06:33

Optimized Protocol for Generating Functional Pancreatic Insulin-secreting Cells from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells

Published on: February 2, 2024

Related Concept Videos

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose01:16

Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose

Insulin is released by beta cells of the pancreas when blood glucose levels are high. It facilitates glucose absorption and utilization in insulin-dependent cells with insulin receptors on their plasma membranes. Insulin promotes glucose uptake by increasing the number of glucose transport proteins in the cell membrane, allowing glucose to enter the cell. As a result, glucose utilization and ATP production are enhanced.
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways01:28

Insulin: The Receptor and Signaling Pathways

Insulin action is mediated through a receptor tyrosine kinase, akin to the IGF-1 receptor. The number of receptors per cell varies significantly, from 40 on erythrocytes to 300,000 on adipocytes and hepatocytes. The insulin receptor consists of linked α/β subunit dimers, forming a heterotetramer glycoprotein with two extracellular α subunits and two β subunits spanning the membrane. The α subunits inhibit the inherent tyrosine kinase activity of the β subunits, but this inhibition is released...
Pathophysiology of Diabetes01:20

Pathophysiology of Diabetes

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia. The four categories of diabetes are type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, other specific types of diabetes, and gestational diabetes.
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation01:25

Insulin: Biosynthesis, Chemistry, and Preparation

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) of pancreatic β-cells synthesizes preproinsulin, which consists of a signal peptide, A and B chains, and a C-peptide. Preproinsulin is then cleaved and folded into proinsulin, which translocates to the Golgi apparatus for sorting and packaging into secretory granules. In these granules, enzymatic clipping generates insulin and C-peptide.
Damage or functional impairment of β-cells inhibits insulin production, leading to diabetes. Diabetes treatment primarily uses...
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects01:16

Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects

Insulin-replacement therapy usually includes both long-acting insulin (basal) and short-acting insulin (to cater to postprandial needs). In a diverse group of type 1 diabetes patients, the average daily insulin dose is typically 0.5-0.7 units/kg body weight. However, obese patients and pubertal adolescents may need more due to insulin resistance.
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...