Pancreatic β-Cells Communicate With Vagal Sensory Neurons.

ABSTRACT:

Background and aims

Destroying visceral sensory nerves impacts pancreatic islet function, glucose metabolism, and diabetes onset, but how islet endocrine cells interact with sensory neurons has not been studied.

Methods

We characterized the anatomical pattern of pancreatic sensory innervation by combining viral tracing, immunohistochemistry, and reporter mouse models. To assess the functional interactions of β-cells with vagal sensory neurons, we recorded Ca²⁺ responses in individual nodose neurons in vivo while selectively stimulating β-cells with chemogenetic and pharmacologic approaches.

Results

We found that pancreatic islets are innervated by vagal sensory axons expressing Phox2b, substance P, calcitonin-gene related peptide, and the serotonin receptor

SUBMITTER: Makhmutova M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10009739 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature