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Published on: June 10, 2016
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CD168 Identifies Proliferating Pancreatic Islet Cells in Murine and Human.
Shubo Yuan1,2, Jiafu Li1,2, Min Shao1,2
1New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell Systems, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, 200031, China.
Advanced Science (Weinheim, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany)
|December 21, 2025
Summary
CD168 is a novel surface marker identifying proliferating islet cells in mice and humans. This discovery offers a new tool for studying beta-cell (β-cell) proliferation and maturation in diabetes research.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Cell Biology
- Diabetes Research
Background:
- Restoring functional beta-cell (β-cell) mass is crucial for diabetes therapy.
- Isolating live, proliferating β-cells for study has been a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify a conserved surface marker for isolating proliferating islet cells.
- To investigate the proliferation and lineage dynamics of these cells.
- To understand the maturation process of newly formed β-cells.
Main Methods:
- Single-cell RNA sequencing of pancreatic islets.
- Flow cytometry and immunostaining for CD168 and Ki67.
- Development and utilization of a CD168-CreERT2 mouse model for lineage tracing.
- Multi-omics analysis integrating lineage tracing data.
Main Results:
- CD168 was identified as a specific marker for proliferating islet cells in mice and humans.
- CD168+ cells exhibit high proliferative activity and low insulin expression.
- Lineage tracing revealed that CD168+ cells primarily give rise to β-cells.
- A ~60-day maturation trajectory for nascent β-cells was mapped, involving epigenetic and transcriptional changes.
- CD168 is also expressed on proliferating cells in human pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors.
Conclusions:
- CD168 is a valuable tool for isolating and studying proliferating islet cells.
- This research provides new insights into the mechanisms of β-cell proliferation and maturation.
- The findings have potential clinical relevance for diabetes and neuroendocrine tumor research.
