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Isolation, Culture, and Imaging of Human Fetal Pancreatic Cell Clusters
Published on: May 18, 2014
Clusterin expression in porcine endocrine cells during islet development
M Schweiger1, M Steffl, W M Amselgruber
1Institute of Anatomy and Physiology, University of Hohenheim, Stuttgart, Germany. mschweig@uni-hohenheim.de
Hormone and Metabolic Research = Hormon- Und Stoffwechselforschung = Hormones Et Metabolisme
|October 26, 2007
Summary
Clusterin, a glycoprotein, is expressed in a unique pancreatic cell type in pigs, potentially marking immature cells that differentiate into glucagon-producing cells, crucial for xenotransplantation research.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Clusterin is a glycoprotein involved in physiological functions and pancreatic islet development/regeneration.
- Its role in islet cell organization during development suggests potential importance in xenotransplantation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate clusterin expression and cell type in porcine pancreas during islet development.
- To determine if clusterin is coexpressed with specific islet hormones.
- To assess local clusterin expression and receptor binding via RT-PCR.
Main Methods:
- Double-immunostaining using antibodies against chromogranin A, clusterin, insulin, glucagon, and somatostatin.
- RT-PCR to analyze local clusterin expression and receptor binding.
Main Results:
- Clusterin is expressed in a distinct cell type in newborn to 3-month-old pigs, intermingled with other endocrine cells.
- In adult pigs, clusterin-expressing cells are located mainly in the mantle area of islets.
- Clusterin is found in a unique cell type and also in a subset of glucagon-producing A-cells.
Conclusions:
- Clusterin is expressed in an unidentified cell type during porcine islet development.
- Clusterin may label immature precursor cells in adult pigs with potential to differentiate into glucagon-expressing cells.
- Findings are relevant for understanding islet development and potential applications in xenotransplantation.
