[Epidermal growth factor receptor and ligands in pancreatic beta-cell]

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) cell signaling plays a central role in beta-cell mass/function regulation, and provides a new strategy for the treatment of diabetes, but its mechanisms of action remain poorly understood. In developmental biology, pancreatic islet development is impaired in lacking EGFR of mice. The attenuation of EGFR signaling in the islets leads to markedly reduced beta-cell proliferation. EGFR ligands BTC can increase proliferation and neogenesis. In this article EGFR and their ligands in the pancreas, EGFR cell signaling, and EGFR effects in pancreatic beta-cell mass/function regulation were reviewed.