Vitamin A deficiency causes islet dysfunction by inducing islet stellate cell activation via cellular retinol binding protein 1.

ABSTRACT: Background: Vitamin A (VA) plays an essential role in pancreatic homeostasis. Islet stellate cells (ISCs) are VA-storing cells in pancreatic islets. Herein, we have investigated the effect of VA on glucose homeostasis trough regulation of ISCs function in dietary VA deficiency model mice. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly fed a VA-sufficient, a VA-deficient (VAD) or a VAD-rescued diet. Glucose metabolism was assessed by glucose tolerance tests and immunohistochemistry. ISCs activation degree was evaluated by immunofluorescence, quantitative PCR and western blotting in both, retinol-treated cultured ISCs and model mice. Changes in ISCs phenotype and their effect on islets were assessed by lentiviral transduction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays in a co-culture sys

SUBMITTER: Zhou Y 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7053333 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature