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Updated: Oct 21, 2025
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Isolating and Analyzing Cells of the Pancreas Mesenchyme by Flow Cytometry
Published on: January 28, 2017
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The postnatal pancreatic microenvironment guides β cell maturation through BMP4 production
Lina Sakhneny1, Laura Mueller2, Anat Schonblum1
1Department of Cell and Development Biology, Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.
Developmental Cell
|September 9, 2021
Summary
Bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) from pancreatic pericytes is crucial for the functional maturation of insulin-producing beta cells. This discovery aids in developing better stem-cell-derived therapies for diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Developmental Biology
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Glucose homeostasis relies on insulin secretion by pancreatic beta cells, which mature postnatally.
- Beta cell functional maturation is influenced by both cell-intrinsic and external factors, with the latter being poorly understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify exogenous factors regulating pancreatic beta cell functional maturation.
- To elucidate the role of the pancreatic microenvironment in beta cell development and function.
Main Methods:
- Utilized transgenic mouse models and human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs).
- Investigated the expression and function of Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 (BMP4) in the pancreatic niche.
- Combined genetic manipulation with cell culture and functional assays.
Main Results:
- Identified BMP4 as a key regulator of beta cell maturation and function.
- Demonstrated that BMP4 promotes the expression of essential beta cell genes, enhancing insulin production and secretion.
- Pinpointed pancreatic pericytes as the primary source of BMP4, with production commencing during the critical window of beta cell maturation.
Conclusions:
- The pancreatic microenvironment, specifically BMP4 produced by pericytes, plays a direct and timely role in promoting beta cell functional maturation.
- Replicating the physiological postnatal islet niche is essential for generating fully functional stem-cell-derived beta cells for diabetes cell replacement therapy.
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