Functional Characterization of the Human Islet Microvasculature Using Living Pancreas Slices.

ABSTRACT: Pancreatic islets are clusters of endocrine cells that secrete different hormones to regulate blood glucose levels. Efficient hormone secretion requires a close interaction of endocrine cells with their vascular system. Islets receive blood through feeding arteriole(s) that branch into capillaries made of endothelial cells covered by pericytes. While a lot is known about rodent islet blood vessels, the structure and function of the human islet microvasculature has been less investigated. In this study, we used living pancreas slices from non-diabetic human donors to examine the function of human islet blood vessels. Living human pancreas slices were incubated with a membrane permeant calcium indicator and pericytes/smooth muscle cells were visualized with a fluorescent antibody against the

SUBMITTER: Mateus Goncalves L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7843926 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature