Human islets contain a subpopulation of glucagon-like peptide-1 secreting α cells that is increased in type 2 diabetes.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Our study shows that glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is secreted within human islets and may play an unexpectedly important paracrine role in islet physiology and pathophysiology. It is known that α cells within rodent and human pancreatic islets are capable of secreting GLP-1, but little is known about the functional role that islet-derived GLP-1 plays in human islets.

Methods

We used flow cytometry, immunohistochemistry, perifusions, and calcium imaging techniques to analyse GLP-1 expression and function in islets isolated from cadaveric human donors with or without type 2 diabetes. We also used immunohistochemistry to analyse GLP-1 expression within islets from pancreatic biopsies obtained from living donors.

Results

We have demonstrated that human islet

SUBMITTER: Campbell SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7260680 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature