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Updated: Oct 21, 2025

Confocal Laser Scanning Microscopy of Calcium Dynamics in Acute Mouse Pancreatic Tissue Slices
Published on: April 13, 2021
[Pancreatic α and β cells: Best enemies or partners for life?]
Karen Leal Fischer1, Manon Jaffredo1, Jochen Lang1
1Institut de chimie et de biologie des membranes et des nano-objets, CBMN, Université de Bordeaux, CNRS UMR 5248, B14 allée Geoffroy Saint Hilaire, F-33600, Pessac, France.
Abstract:
Diabetes are major metabolic diseases constantly increasing in the population, caused by reduced secretion and action of insulin, the only hormone lowering efficiently the glycaemia. Insulin is secreted by β cells within the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. The islet micro-organs also contain 15 to 35% of α cells, well-known for their opposite effects on glycaemia. Considered until now as potentially harmful in diabetes, α cells are emerging as potent enhancers of β cell activity when studied in physiological nutritional setting and should therefore be reconsidered in a therapeutic point of view. This review summarizes the latest concepts regarding β cell function in physiological states and the involvement of dynamic functional interactions between α and β cells for the regulation of nutrient homeostasis.
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