Imaging of Pancreatic Beta-Cell Signal-Transduction

Authors: Martin Kohler; Daniel Nyqvist; Tilo Moede; Helene Wahlstedt; Over Cabrera; Ingo Leibiger; Per-Olof Berggren

Source: Current Medicinal Chemistry - Immunology, Endocrine & Metabolic Agents, Volume 4, Number 4, December 2004 , pp. 281-299(19)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

The development of techniques that enable the characterization of critical parameters of pancreatic cell function in a non-invasive manner is of immense value in diabetes research. These techniques will not only allow a better understanding of cell physiology and dysfunction, but will be of practical help in the evaluation of islet material used for transplantation into type 1 diabetic patients. In the present review we discuss approaches, e.g. probes and microscopy / digital imaging techniques, which are used to evaluate parameters reflecting the cell's potential to convert the blood glucose concentration signal into an appropriate secretory response of insulin. These parameters include measurements of changes in the concentration of ATP, the formation of NAD(P)H, changes in the mitochondrial membrane potential m, changes in cytoplasmic pH, as well as changes in cytoplasmic free [Ca2+]. Moreover, we present techniques that permit online monitoring of gene expression in living cells and online detection of apoptosis of these cells. Finally, we discuss strategies that will allow the analysis of cell stimulus-secretion coupling under in vivo conditions. This includes monitoring of cell function in their 'natural setting', i.e. the pancreas, as well as the analysis of cells within grafts following transplantation.

Keywords: Pancreatic Beta-Cell Signal-Transduction; transplantation; cytoplasmic

Document Type: Review article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/1568013043357275

Affiliations: 1: The Rolf Luft Center for Diabetes Research, Department of Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital Solna, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden.

Publication date: 2004-12-01

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Internal Medicine
• By this author: Martin Kohler ;  Daniel Nyqvist ;  Tilo Moede ;  Helene Wahlstedt ;  Over Cabrera ;  Ingo Leibiger ;  Per-Olof Berggren

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers