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Updated: May 15, 2026
07:44
Surgical Injury to the Mouse Pancreas through Ligation of the Pancreatic Duct as a Model for Endocrine and Exocrine Reprogramming and Proliferation
Published on: August 7, 2015
Development and regeneration in the endocrine pancreas
1Research Group Molecular Cell Differentiation, Department Molecular Cell Biology, Max-Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Am Fassberg 11, 37077 Goettingen, Germany ; Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, University of Goettingen, Robert-Koch-Strasse 40, 37075 Goettingen, Germany.
ISRN Endocrinology
|January 18, 2013
Summary
Research on pancreas regeneration offers hope for diabetes treatment. Studies in animal models reveal potential new ways to restore insulin-producing beta-cells, though adult pancreas regeneration remains debated.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The pancreas has exocrine and endocrine functions, crucial for digestion and blood sugar control.
- The endocrine pancreas contains islets of Langerhans with diverse hormone-producing cells, including insulin-secreting beta-cells.
- Diabetes mellitus results from beta-cell loss or dysfunction, leading to severe systemic complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore molecular mechanisms governing endocrine pancreas development.
- To investigate the pancreas's regenerative capacity following injury.
- To identify potential cell sources for beta-cell regeneration in adult models.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of transgenic and knockout mouse models.
- Study of animal models with pancreas injury.
- Investigation of potential cell sources like acinar, ductal, and intraislet epithelia.
Main Results:
- Transgenic and knockout mice provided insights into endocrine pancreas development.
- Animal models demonstrated the pancreas's regenerative potential after injury.
- Several adult pancreatic cell types were proposed as sources for beta-cell regeneration.
Conclusions:
- Pancreas regeneration research opens therapeutic avenues for diabetes.
- The contribution of various cell types to adult beta-cell regeneration is an active area of investigation and debate.
Related Concept Videos
01:16Cells and Secretions of the Pancreas
The pancreas, a vital organ within the abdominal cavity, plays dual roles in the digestive and endocrine systems, collaborating with exocrine and endocrine cells to maintain optimal digestion and blood sugar levels.
Exocrine function is carried out by acinar cells, organized into clusters known as acini. These cells contribute to digestion by releasing substantial quantities of enzyme-rich, alkaline digestive juices.
Concurrently, the dispersed clusters of endocrine cells throughout the...
Exocrine function is carried out by acinar cells, organized into clusters known as acini. These cells contribute to digestion by releasing substantial quantities of enzyme-rich, alkaline digestive juices.
Concurrently, the dispersed clusters of endocrine cells throughout the...
01:23Tissue Renewal without Stem Cells
After cellular or tissue damage, the resident stem cells present in the human body can locally repair and regenerate the damaged tissue or organ. However, even though some tissues do not have stem cells, they can repair and regenerate with the help of pre-existing cells. For example, beta cells of the pancreas and hepatocytes of the liver can divide to renew and regenerate the tissue. Here, both cell division and cell death are well regulated by homeostasis.
However, failure of such a system...
However, failure of such a system...
01:27Glucose Homeostasis: Pancreatic Islets and Insulin Secretion
The pancreatic islets comprising only 1%-2% of the volume are highly vascularized and innervated mini-organs. They contain five endocrine cell types, including β cells that secrete insulin, which is synthesized as a single polypeptide chain, preproinsulin, processed to proinsulin, and finally to insulin and C-peptide. This process is complex and regulated, involving the Golgi complex, the endoplasmic reticulum, and the secretory granules of the β cell.
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
Insulin and C-peptide are co-secreted in...
01:29The Endocrine System
The endocrine system is an extensive network of glands – organs or tissues in the body that create chemicals that control many bodily functions, that secrete hormones, which are chemical messengers that play essential roles in regulating various bodily functions. These hormones are secreted into the bloodstream and travel throughout the body. They require specific receptors to convey signals to cells possessing these corresponding receptors. This complex signaling mechanism ensures that every...
01:05Insulin Secretory Vesicles
Insulin secretory vesicles release insulin to stimulate blood glucose uptake and regulate carbohydrate metabolism. When the blood glucose levels increase, glucose enters the pancreatic β-islet cells through glucose transporters. Once inside, glucose is metabolized through glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, and the electron transport chain, producing ATP. This increase in ATP concentration closes ATP-sensitive potassium channels, leading to depolarization of the membrane and the opening of...
01:26Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type 1 diabetes mellitus arises from an immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, resulting in an absolute deficiency of insulin. This process develops in genetically susceptible individuals when autoimmunity, environmental exposures, and immunologic dysregulation converge to trigger a targeted attack on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The β-cells are located within the islets of Langerhans and are essential for regulating blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of...