Autonomous and self-sustained circadian oscillators displayed in human islet cells.

ABSTRACT:

Aims/hypothesis

Following on from the emerging importance of the pancreas circadian clock on islet function and the development of type 2 diabetes in rodent models, we aimed to examine circadian gene expression in human islets. The oscillator properties were assessed in intact islets as well as in beta cells.

Methods

We established a system for long-term bioluminescence recording in cultured human islets, employing lentivector gene delivery of the core clock gene Bmal1 (also known as Arntl)-luciferase reporter. Beta cells were stably labelled using a rat insulin2 promoter fluorescent construct. Single-islet/cell oscillation profiles were measured by combined bioluminescence-fluorescence time-lapse microscopy.

Results

Human islets synchronised in vitro exhibited self-s

SUBMITTER: Pulimeno P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3563957 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature