A Versatile, Portable Intravital Microscopy Platform for Studying Beta-cell Biology In Vivo.

ABSTRACT: The pancreatic islet is a complex micro-organ containing numerous cell types, including endocrine, immune, and endothelial cells. The communication of these systems is lost upon isolation of the islets, and therefore the pathogenesis of diabetes can only be fully understood by studying this organized, multicellular environment in vivo. We have developed several adaptable tools to create a versatile platform to interrogate β-cell function in vivo. Specifically, we developed β-cell-selective virally-encoded fluorescent protein biosensors that can be rapidly and easily introduced into any mouse. We then coupled the use of these biosensors with intravital microscopy, a powerful tool that can be used to collect cellular and subcellular data from living tissues. Together, these approaches allowe

SUBMITTER: Reissaus CA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6559992 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature