Coordination between ECM and cell-cell adhesion regulates the development of islet aggregation, architecture, and functional maturation.

ABSTRACT: Pancreatic islets are three-dimensional cell aggregates consisting of unique cellular composition, cell-to-cell contacts, and interactions with blood vessels. Cell aggregation is essential for islet endocrine function; however, it remains unclear how developing islets establish aggregation. By combining genetic animal models, imaging tools, and gene expression profiling, we demonstrate that islet aggregation is regulated by extracellular matrix signaling and cell-cell adhesion. Islet endocrine cell-specific inactivation of extracellular matrix receptor integrin β1 disrupted blood vessel interactions but promoted cell-cell adhesion and the formation of larger islets. In contrast, ablation of cell-cell adhesion molecule α-catenin promoted blood vessel interactions yet compromised islet clust

SUBMITTER: Tixi W 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10482429 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature