In vitro generation of peri-islet basement membrane-like structures.

ABSTRACT: The peri-islet extracellular matrix (ECM) is a key component of the microenvironmental niche surrounding pancreatic islets of Langerhans. The cell anchorage and signaling provided by the peri-islet ECM is critical for optimum beta cell glucose responsiveness, but islets lose this important native ECM when isolated for transplantation or in vitro studies. Here, we established a method to construct a peri-islet ECM on the surfaces of isolated rat and human islets by the co-assembly from solution of laminin, nidogen and collagen IV proteins. Successful deposition of contiguous peri-islet ECM networks was confirmed by immunofluorescence, western blot, and transmission electron microscopy. The ECM coatings were disrupted when assembly occurred in Ca²⁺/Mg²⁺-free conditions.

SUBMITTER: Santini-Gonzalez J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8131001 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature