Authors: Olerud, Johan; Johansson, Åsa; Carlsson, Per-Ola

Source: Expert Review of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Volume 4, Number 5, September 2009 , pp. 481-491(11)

Publisher: Expert Reviews

Abstract:

Pancreatic islets are highly vascularized micro-organs. Approximately 10% of an islet consists of blood vessels. The induction and maintenance of the islet vascular system depend on VEGF secreted from β-cells. VEGF is also critical for the phenotype of the islet vasculature by induction of a vast number of fenestrae. The islet vasculature serves the role of supplying the endocrine cells with oxygen and nutrients, but may also be important for proper glucose sensing of the cells, for paracrine support of endocrine function and growth, and for drainage of metabolites and secreted islet hormones into the systemic circulation. Emerging evidence suggests an important role of islet endothelial cells to maintain β-cell function and growth by secretion of molecules such as hepatocyte growth factor, thrombospondin-1 and laminins, thereby forming a vascular niche for the endocrine cells.

Keywords: diabetes; endothelial cell; hepatocyte growth factor; islet transplantation; laminin; pancreatic islets; thrombospondin-1; vascular endothelial growth factor

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1586/eem.09.25

Affiliations: 1: Department of Medical Cell Biology, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden

Publication date: 2009-09-01

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• Expert Review of Endocrinology & Metabolism provides extensive coverage of state-of-the-art research and clinical advancements in the field of endocrine control and metabolism, with a focus on screening, prevention, diagnostics, existing and novel therapeutics, as well as related molecular genetics, pathophysiology and epidemiology
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