Age-Dependent Decline in the Coordinated [Ca²⁺] and Insulin Secretory Dynamics in Human Pancreatic Islets.

ABSTRACT: Aging is associated with increased risk for type 2 diabetes, resulting from reduced insulin sensitivity and secretion. Reduced insulin secretion can result from reduced proliferative capacity and reduced islet function. Mechanisms underlying altered β-cell function in aging are poorly understood in mouse and human islets, and the impact of aging on intraislet communication has not been characterized. Here, we examine how β-cell [Ca²⁺] and electrical communication are impacted during aging in mouse and human islets. Islets from human donors and from mice were studied using [Ca²⁺] imaging, static and perifusion insulin secretion assays, and gap junction permeability measurements. In human islets, [Ca²⁺] dynamics were coordinated within distinct subregions of

SUBMITTER: Westacott MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5566297 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature