Epithelial to mesenchymal transition in human endocrine islet cells.

ABSTRACT:

Background

β-cells undergo an epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) when expanded in monolayer culture and give rise to highly proliferative mesenchymal cells that retain the potential to re-differentiate into insulin-producing cells.

Objective

To investigate whether EMT takes place in the endocrine non-β cells of human islets.

Methodology

Human islets isolated from 12 multiorgan donors were dissociated into single cells, purified by magnetic cell sorting, and cultured in monolayer.

Results

Co-expression of insulin and the mesenchymal marker vimentin was identified within the first passage (p1) and increased subsequently (insulin+vimentin+ 7.2±6% at p1; 43±15% at p4). The endocrine non-β-cells did also co-express vimentin (glucagon+vimentin+ 59±1.5% and 93

SUBMITTER: Moreno-Amador JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5779658 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature