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Regulation of Pancreatic islets cells
We have recently established primary culture of pancreatic islet cells from rat and mouse, including insulin-secreting b-cells, glucagon-secreting a-cells and somatostatin-secreting d-cells. We investigated the intracellular Ca2+ responses of islet cells to glucose and ATP. Intracellular signalling systems and membrane ion channels have also been studied using patch clamp methods and molecular biology methods, which established a basis for the functional investigation of the islet cells. A clear difference was observed between rat and mouse islet cells, leading to an assumption of different levels of Ca2+-storage operated Ca2+ entry channels. A possible difference in exocytosis machinery is also under investigation in pancreatic islet cells from rat and mouse. In order to clarify the contribution of pancreatic b-cell dysfunction in type II diabetes, we are studying the modification of pancreatic islet cells by fat cells in a co-cultured condition of both cells. We are also in the process to identify responsible fat cell-secreted factors in b-cell dysfunction occurred in type 2 diabetes. Such a study will clarify the pancreatic islet pathological process in obese patients with type II diabetes. We are also looking for a way to prevent the pathological change in islet cells by acting on either islet cells or fat cells.
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