Oxygen tension regulates pancreatic beta-cell differentiation through hypoxia-inducible factor 1alpha.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

Recent evidence indicates that low oxygen tension (pO2) or hypoxia controls the differentiation of several cell types during development. Variations of pO2 are mediated through the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF), a crucial mediator of the adaptative response of cells to hypoxia. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of pO2 in beta-cell differentiation.

Research design and methods

We analyzed the capacity of beta-cell differentiation in the rat embryonic pancreas using two in vitro assays. Pancreata were cultured either in collagen or on a filter at the air/liquid interface with various pO2. An inhibitor of the prolyl hydroxylases, dimethyloxaloylglycine (DMOG), was used to stabilize HIF1alpha protein in normoxia.

Results

When cultured in collagen

SUBMITTER: Heinis M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2828660 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature