Transcriptomic modifications in maternal pancreatic islets during the period around weaning in mice

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Molecular Biology
• Developmental Biology

Background:

• Beta-cell mass is critical for diabetes management, declining as the disease progresses.
• The weaning period in mice shows increased beta-cell proliferation and islet expansion.
• This physiological stage in islets remains largely unexplored regarding transcriptomic changes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify transcripts associated with islet changes during the weaning period in mice.
• To understand the molecular mechanisms regulating beta-cell mass plasticity during this transition.

Main Methods:

• Ribonucleic acid (RNA) sequencing of mouse islets at four key time points around weaning.
• Analysis of messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression levels.
• Microscopy analysis of islet cells and apoptosis markers.

Main Results:

• Dynamic transcriptomic changes were observed, with increased expression of prolactin-regulated genes during lactation, followed by a decline.
• While cell cycle regulators showed no change, a decrease in the negative cell cycle regulator Cdkn1a was noted.
• Increased apoptosis markers were found in peripheral islet cells lacking insulin staining.

Conclusions:

• This study is the first to characterize transcriptomic and cellular changes in islets during the weaning period.
• The findings provide novel insights into the plasticity of islet mass during a critical developmental transition.
• Understanding these mechanisms may inform future diabetes therapeutic strategies.