Mannogalactoglucan from mushrooms protects pancreatic islets via restoring UPR and promotes insulin secretion in TIDM mice

Type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM) lacks insulin secretion due to autoimmune deficiency of pancreaticβ-cells.Protecting pancreatic islets and enhancing insulin secretion has been therapeutic approaches.Mannogalactoglucan is the main type of polysaccharide from natural mushroom,which has potential medicinal prospects.Nevertheless,the antidiabetic property of mannogalactoglucan in T1DM has not been fully elucidated.In this study,we obtained the neutral fraction of alkali-soluble Armillaria mellea polysaccharide(AAMP-N) with the structure of mannogalactoglucan from the fruiting body of A.mellea and investigated the potential therapeutic value of AAMP-N in T1DM.We demonstrated that AAMP-N lowered blood glucose and improved diabetes symptoms in T1DM mice.AAMP-N activated unfolded protein response(UPR) signaling pathway to maintain ER protein folding homeostasis and promote insulin secretion in vivo.Besides that,AAMP-N promoted insulin synthesis via upregulating the expression of transcription factors,increased Ca^(2+) signals to stimulate intracellular insulin secretory vesicle transport via activating calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase Ⅱ(CamkⅡ) and cAMP/PKA signals,and enhanced insulin secretory vesicle fusion with the plasma membrane via vesicle-associated membrane protein 2(VAMP2).Collectively,these studies demonstrated that the therapeutic potential of AAMP-N on pancreatic islets function,indicating that mannogalactoglucan could be natural nutraceutical used for the treatment of T1DM.

A pancreatic player in dementia:pathological role for islet amyloid polypeptide accumulation in the brain

Type 2 diabetes mellitus patients have a markedly higher risk of developing dementia.While multiple factors contribute to this predisposition,one of these involves the increased secretion of amylin,or islet amyloid polypeptide,that accompanies the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus.Islet amyloid polypeptide accumulation has undoubtedly been implicated in various forms of dementia,including Alzheimer’s disease and vascular dementia,but the exact mechanisms underlying islet amyloid polypeptide’s causative role in dementia are unclear.In this review,we have summarized the literature supporting the various mechanisms by which islet amyloid polypeptide accumulation may cause neuronal damage,ultimately leading to the clinical symptoms of dementia.We discuss the evidence for islet amyloid polypeptide deposition in the brain,islet amyloid polypeptide interaction with other amyloids implicated in neurodegeneration,neuroinflammation caused by islet amyloid polypeptide deposition,vascular damage induced by islet amyloid polypeptide accumulation,and islet amyloid polypeptide-induced cytotoxicity.There are very few therapies approved for the treatment of dementia,and of these,clinical responses have been controversial at best.Therefore,investigating new,targetable pathways is vital for identifying novel therapeutic strategies for treating dementia.As such,we conclude this review by discussing islet amyloid polypeptide accumulation as a potential therapeutic target not only in treating type 2 diabetes mellitus but as a future target in treating or even preventing dementia associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

25-Hydroxyvitamin D Is Associated with Islet Homeostasis in Type-2 Diabetic Patients with Abdominal Obesity

Objective Isletαcells input is essential for insulin secretion fromβcells.The present study aims to investigate the association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D]and islet function homeostasis in type-2 diabetes(T2D)patients.Methods A total of 4670 T2D patients from seven communities in Shanghai,China were enrolled.The anthropometric indices,biochemical parameters,serum 25(OH)D,and islet function[including C-peptide(C-p)and glucagon]were measured.Results The fasting plasma glucose(FPG),glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),glucagon,and C-p levels exhibited a significantly decreasing trend in T2D patients as the 25(OH)D levels increased.Next,the population was divided into two groups:abdominal obesity and non-abdominal obesity groups.After adjustment,the 25(OH)D level was found to be associated with HbA1c,glucagon,and homeostasis model assessment ofβ(HOMA-β)in the non-abdominal obesity group.There was a significant relationship between 25(OH)D and HbA1c,glucagon,HOMA-IR,baseline insulin or C-p in the abdominal obesity group.In the abdominal obesity group,the ordinary least squares(OLS)regression and quantile regression revealed that 25(OH)D was obviously associated with glucagon and fasting C-p levels.In the abdominal obesity group,the moderate analysis revealed a significant interaction effect of 25(OH)D and glucagon on C-p(P=0.0124).Furthermore,the conditional indirect effect of 25(OH)D on the glucagon/C-p ratio was significantly lower at 1 standard deviation(SD)below the mean(P=0.0002),and lower at the mean of the course of diabetes(P=0.0007).Conclusion 25(OH)D was found to be negatively correlated to glucagon and C-p in T2D patients with abdominal obesity.The 25(OH)D influenced C-p in part by influencing glucagon.The effect of 25(OH)D on the glucagon/C-p ratio in T2D patients with abdominal obesity,in terms of islet homeostasis,is influenced by the course of diabetes.

Islet transplantation-immunological challenges and current perspectives

Pancreatic islet transplantation is a minimally invasive procedure aiming to reverse the effects of insulin deficiency in patients with type 1 diabetes(T1D)by transplanting pancreatic beta cells.Overall,pancreatic islet transplantation has improved to a great extent,and cellular replacement will likely become the mainstay treatment.We review pancreatic islet transplantation as a treatment for T1D and the immunological challenges faced.Published data demonstrated that the time for islet cell transfusion varied between 2 and 10 h.Approximately 54%of the patients gained insulin independence at the end of the first year,while only 20%remained insulin-free at the end of the second year.Eventually,most transplanted patients return to using some form of exogenous insulin within a few years after the transplantation,which imposed the need to improve immunological factors before transplantation.We also discuss the immunosuppressive regimens,apoptotic donor lymphocytes,anti-TIM-1 antibodies,mixed chimerism-based tolerance induction,induction of antigen-specific tolerance utilizing ethylene carbodiimide-fixed splenocytes,pretransplant infusions of donor apoptotic cells,B cell depletion,preconditioning of isolated islets,inducing local immunotolerance,cell encapsulation and immunoisolation,using of biomaterials,immunomodulatory cells,etc.

Outcomes of total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation:A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND Despite the increased use of total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation(TPIAT),systematic evidence of its outcomes remains limited.AIM To evaluate the outcomes of TPIAT.METHODS We searched PubMed,EMBASE,and Cochrane databases from inception through March 2019 for studies on TPIAT outcomes.Data were extracted and analyzed using comprehensive meta-analysis software.The random-effects model was used for all variables.Heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 measure and Cochrane Q-statistic.Publication bias was assessed using Egger’s test.RESULTS Twenty-one studies published between 1980 and 2017 examining 1011 patients were included.Eighteen studies were of adults,while three studied pediatric populations.Narcotic independence was achieved in 53.5%[95% Confidence Interval(CI):45-62,P<0.05,I2=81%]of adults compared to 51.9%(95%CI:17-85,P<0.05,I2=84%)of children.Insulinindependence post-procedure was achieved in 31.8%(95%CI:26-38,P<0.05,I2=64%)of adults with considerable heterogeneity compared to 47.7%(95%CI:20-77,P<0.05,I2=82%)in children.Glycated hemoglobin(HbA1C)12 mo post-surgery was reported in four studies with a pooled value of 6.76%(P=0.27).Neither stratification by age of the studied population nor metaregression analysis considering both the study publication date and the islet-cell-equivalent/kg weight explained the marked heterogeneity between studies.CONCLUSION These results indicate acceptable success for TPIAT.Future studies should evaluate the discussed measures before and after surgery for comparison.

A Study on Enhancing Pancreatic Islet Function in Type 2 Diabetes and Coronary Heart Disease Patients with Liraglutide and Metformin Combination Therapy

Objective:To investigate the impact of combining liraglutide with metformin on the enhancement of pancreatic islet function in patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.Methods:60 patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease admitted from February 2022 to August 2023 were selected as research subjects.They were randomly assigned to either control or treatment groups,with 30 patients in each.The control group received metformin alone,while the treatment group received liraglutide in combination with metformin.Various indicators,including blood sugar levels,pancreatic islet function,and cardiac function between the two groups were compared.Results:The results of FPG,2hPG,HbA1c,HOMA-IR,NT-proBNP,and LVEDD in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group,whereas the values of FINS,HOMA-β,E/A,and LVEF in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion:The use of liraglutide in combination with metformin significantly benefits patients with type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease.It leads to improved pancreatic islet function,better blood sugar control,and enhanced cardiac function.This combination therapy is recommended for clinical adoption.

Microbiological cultures and antimicrobial prophylaxis in patients undergoing total pancreatectomy with islet cell autotransplantation

To the Editor:Total pancreatectomy with islet cell autotransplantation(TPIAT)is a viable treatment option upon failed endoscopic and medical therapy for patients with chronic pancreatitis.This procedure involves surgical removal of the entire pancreas,isolation of islet cells and reinfusion of these cells into the liver via portal vein[1,2].The risk of contamination to the final islet cell product can occur at several stages of the isolation procedure[3].In order to ensure the sterility of the islet cell product,multiple samples from the preservation and cannulation solution,and the final islet cell product are sent for bacterial cultures.Prior studies have found variable clinical consequences of these cultures on infectious com-plications or graft function[3-9].Herein we aimed to determine the incidence of infection in 60 days post-TPIAT and its association with the culture data.

Advances in microfluidic chips based on islet hormone-sensing techniques

Diabetes mellitus is a global health problem resulting from islet dysfunction or insulin resistance.The mechanisms of islet dysfunction are still under investigation.Islet hormone secretion is the main function of islets,and serves an important role in the homeostasis of blood glucose.Elucidating the detailed mechanism of islet hormone secretome distortion can provide clues for the treatment of diabetes.Therefore,it is crucial to develop accurate,real-time,laborsaving,high-throughput,automated,and cost-effective techniques for the sensing of islet secretome.Microfluidic chips,an elegant platform that combines biology,engineering,computer science,and biomaterials,have attracted tremendous interest from scientists in the field of diabetes worldwide.These tiny devices are miniatures of traditional experimental systems with more advantages of timesaving,reagent-minimization,automation,high-throughput,and online detection.These features of microfluidic chips meet the demands of islet secretome analysis and a variety of chips have been designed in the past 20 years.In this review,we present a brief introduction of microfluidic chips,and three microfluidic chipsbased islet hormone sensing techniques.We focus mainly on the theory of these techniques,and provide detailed examples based on these theories with the hope of providing some insights into the design of future chips or whole detection systems.

Human pluripotent stem cell-derivedβcells:Truly immature isletβcells for type 1 diabetes therapy?

A century has passed since the Nobel Prize winning discovery of insulin,which still remains the mainstay treatment for type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM)to this day.True to the words of its discoverer Sir Frederick Banting,“insulin is not a cure for diabetes,it is a treatment”,millions of people with T1DM are dependent on daily insulin medications for life.Clinical donor islet transplantation has proven that T1DM is curable,however due to profound shortages of donor islets,it is not a mainstream treatment option for T1DM.Human pluripotent stem cell derived insulin-secreting cells,pervasively known as stem cell-derivedβcells(SC-βcells),are a promising alternative source and have the potential to become a T1DM treatment through cell replacement therapy.Here we briefly review how isletβcells develop and mature in vivo and several types of reported SC-βcells produced using different ex vivo protocols in the last decade.Although some markers of maturation were expressed and glucose stimulated insulin secretion was shown,the SC-βcells have not been directly compared to their in vivo counterparts,generally have limited glucose response,and are not yet fully matured.Due to the presence of extra-pancreatic insulin-expressing cells,and ethical and technological issues,further clarification of the true nature of these SC-βcells is required.

Regional differences in islet amyloid deposition in the residual pancreas with new-onset diabetes secondary to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

BACKGROUND Islet amyloid deposition and reducedβ-cell mass are pathological hallmarks in type 2 diabetes mellitus subjects.To date,the pathological features of the islets in diabetes secondary to pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)have not been specifically addressed.AIM To provide further insight into the relationship between islet amyloid deposition of the residual pancreas in PDAC patients and to explore whether regional differences(proximal vs distal residual pancreas)are associated with islet amyloid deposition.METHODS We retrospectively collected clinical information and pancreatic tissue removed from tumors of 45 PDAC patients,including 14 patients with normal glucose tolerance(NGT),16 patients with prediabetes and 15 new-onset diabetes(NOD)patients diagnosed before surgery by an oral glucose tolerance test at West China Hospital from July 2017 to June 2020.Pancreatic volume was calculated by multiplying the estimated area of pancreatic tissue on each image slice by the interval between slices based on abdominal computer tomography scans.Several sections of paraffin-embedded pancreas specimens from both the proximal and/or distal regions remote from the tumor were stained as follows:(1)Hematoxylin and eosin for general histological appearance;(2)hematoxylin and insulin for the determination of fractionalβ-cell area(immunohistochemistry);and(3)quadruple insulin,glucagon,thioflavin T and DAPI staining for the determination ofβ-cell area,α-cell area and amyloid deposits.RESULTS Screening for pancreatic histologic features revealed that duct obstruction with islet amyloid deposition,fibrosis and marked acinar atrophy were robust in the distal pancreatic regions but much less robust in the proximal regions,especially in the prediabetes and NOD groups.Consistent with this finding,the remnant pancreatic volume was markedly decreased in the NOD group by nearly one-half compared with that in the NGT group(37.35±12.16 cm^(3) vs 69.79±18.17 cm^(3),P<0.001).As expected,islets that stained positive for amyloid(islet amyloid density)were found in the majority of PDAC cases.The proportion of amyloid/islet area(severity of amyloid deposition)was significantly higher in both prediabetes and NOD patients than in NGT patients(P=0.002;P<0.0001,respectively).We further examined the regional differences in islet amyloid deposits.Islet amyloid deposit density was robustly increased by approximately 8-fold in the distal regions compared with that in the proximal regions in the prediabetes and NOD groups(3.98%±3.39%vs 0.50%±0.72%,P=0.01;12.03%vs 1.51%,P=0.001,respectively).CONCLUSION In conclusion,these findings suggest that robust alterations of the distal pancreas due to tumors can disturb islet function and structure with islet amyloid formation,which may be associated with the pathogenesis of NOD secondary to PDAC.

Small intestinal submucosa improves islet survival and function during in vitro culture

AIM： To evaluate the recovery and function of isolated rat pancreatic islets during in vitro culture with small intestinal submucosa （SIS）. METHODS： Pancreatic islets were isolated from Wistar rats by standard surgical procurement followed by intraductal collagenase distension, mechanical dissociation and Euroficoll purification. Purified islets were cultured in plates coated with multilayer SIS （SIS-treated group） or without multilayer SIS （standard cultured group） for 7 and 14 d in standard islet culture media of RPMI 1640. After isolation and culture, islets from both experimental groups were stained with dithizone and counted. Recovery of islets was determined by the ratio of counts after the culture to the yield of islets immediately following islet isolation. Viability of islets after the culture was assessed by the glucose challenge best with low （2.7 mmol/L） and high glucose （16.7 mmol/L） solution supplemented with 50 mmol/L 3-isobutyl-1- methylxanthine （IBMX） solution. Apoptosis of islet cells after the culture was measured by relative quantification of histone-complexed DNA fragments using ELISA. RESULTS： After 7 or 14 d of in vitro tissue culture, the recovery of islets in SIS-treated group was significantly higher than that cultured in plates without SIS coating. The recovery of islets in SIS-treated group was about twice more than that of in the control group. In SIS treated group, there was no significant difference in the recovery of islets between short- and long-term periods of culture （95.8±1.0% vs 90.8±1.5%, P〉0.05）. When incubated with high glucose （16.7 mmol/L） solution, insulin secretion in SIS-treated group showed a higher increase than that in control group after 14 d of culture （20.7±1.1 mU/L vs 11.8±1.1 mU/L, P〈0.05）. When islets were placed in high glucose solution containing IBMX, stimulated insulin secretion was higher in SlS-treated group than in control group. Calculated stimulation index of SlS-treated group was about 23 times of control group. In addition, the stimulation index of SlS-treated group remained constant regardless of short- and long- term periods of culture （9.5±0.2 vs 10.2±1.2, P〉0.05）. Much less apoptosis of islet cells occurred in SlS-treated group than in control group after the culture. CONCLUSION： Co-culture of isolated rat islets with native sheet-like SIS might build an extracellular matrix for islets and provide possible biotrophic and growth factors that promote the recovery and subsequent function of islets.

Review of experimental attempts of islet allotransplantation in rodents:Parameters involved and viability of the procedure

The purpose of the present study was to organize the parameters involved in experimental allotransplantation in rodents to elaborate the most suitable model to supply the scarcity of islet donors. We used the PubMed database to systematically search for published articles containing the keywords &#x0201c;rodent islet transplantation&#x0201d; to review. We included studies that involved allotransplantation experiments with rodents&#x02019; islets, and we reviewed the reference lists from the eligible publications that were retrieved. We excluded articles related to isotransplantation, autotransplantation and xenotransplantation, i.e., transplantation in other species. A total of 25 studies related to allotransplantation were selected for systematic review based on their relevance and updated data. Allotransplantation in rodents is promising and continues to develop. Survival rates of allografts have increased with the discovery of new immunosuppressive drugs and the use of different graft sites. These successes suggest that islet transplantation is a promising method to overcome the scarcity of islet donors and advance the treatment options for type 1 diabetes.

小鼠Islet-1基因慢病毒表达载体的构建及其诱导C_3H_(10)T1/2细胞向心肌样细胞特异性分化

目的研究Islet-1对干细胞分化的影响。方法用PCR钓取目的基因,将目的基因与pLenO-WPI载体连接,选取阳性质粒,与辅助质粒共同感染293T细胞生产出慢病毒载体。感染C3H10T1/2细胞,实时荧光定量PCR及Western blot检测Islet-1和心肌、肝脏、骨骼及神经各系统相关标志物的表达,免疫荧光检测心肌肌钙蛋白T(cTnT)表达部位。结果 PCR及测序显示目的片段正确插入,实验组有Islet-1表达;心肌早期发育相关基因GATA-4、MEF2C、NKx2.5在检测到荧光蛋白1周后升高,2周到达高峰,3周后可检测到心肌特异性蛋白cTnT(0.582±0.0576),其时序性表达呈随时间增强趋势;cTnT表达于胞质;肝脏系统特异性标志AFP及ALB、骨骼系统特异性标志BGP及BALP、神经系统特异性标志Nestin及GFAP均未表达。结论 Islet-1具有特异性促进干细胞向心肌样细胞分化的作用。

小鼠Islet-1基因RNAi慢病毒载体的构建

目的构建高效沉默小鼠Islet-1基因的慢病毒载体。方法针对小鼠Islet-1基因设计3个RNAi靶序列,合成相应的短发卡RNA(shRNA)寡核苷酸序列(oligo):Sh1、Sh2、Sh3,分别插入经酶切后的PLVTHM载体。经PCR和测序方法筛选阳性克隆,抽提阳性克隆质粒经大肠埃希菌扩增后,与其辅助包装质粒共同感染293T细胞制备慢病毒载体,利用斑形成试验测定病毒滴度。感染C3H10T1/2细胞株,以流式细胞仪检测其感染效率、荧光定量PCR检测其干扰效率。结果与正常C3H10T1/2细胞比较,测序及PCR结果显示目的片段插入正确;病毒滴度值为3.87×108TU/ml;慢病毒载体对C3H10T1/2细胞感染效率达90.36%;3个靶点(抑制效率分别为76.8%5、5.1%和11.7%)均有干扰效果,与正常细胞比较,Sh1靶点干扰效果最为显著(76.8%,P<0.05)。结论成功构建高效沉默Islet-1基因慢病毒载体。

Islet-1在乙酰化调控网络中特异性辅助C3H10T1/2细胞向心肌样细胞分化

目的筛选并分析转染Islet-1慢病毒载体的C3H10T1/2细胞转化为心肌样细胞过程中与Islet-1相互作用的组蛋白乙酰化酶(HATs)和组蛋白去乙酰化酶(HDACs),明确Islet-1在C3H10T1/2细胞分化为心肌样细胞乙酰化调控网络中的关键枢纽作用。方法培养转染Islet-1慢病毒载体的C3H10T1/2细胞,观察细胞形态。免疫荧光和免疫印迹检测Islet-1的表达部位和最高表达时间点。免疫共沉淀与Islet-1结合的蛋白。免疫印迹验证Islet-1相互作用的HATs和HDACs。结果诱导组细胞形态出现心肌样细胞改变。各组Islet-1主要在胞质表达。诱导组Islet-1表达量在诱导后3周最高(0.782±0.015)。诱导组Islet-1表达量显著高于空白对照组和C3H10组(分别为0.819±0.026,0.127±0.006和0.126±0.001)(P<0.05),免疫共沉淀技术可行。与Islet-1相互作用的HATs和HDACs有GCN5、P300/CBP和HDAC4。结论 Islet-1与GCN5、P300/CBP和HDAC4相互作用特异性辅助C3H10T1/2细胞向心肌样细胞分化。

Encapsulated islets transplantation: Past, present and future

Islet transplantation could become an ideal treatment for severe diabetes to prevent hypoglycemia shock and irreversible diabetic complications, once some of the major and unresolved obstacles are overcome, including limited donor supplies and side effects caused by permanent immunosuppressant use. Approximately 30 years ago, some groups succeeded in improving the blood glucose of diabetic animals by transplanting encapsulated islets with semi-permeable membranes consisting of polymer. A semi-permeable membrane protects both the inner islets from mechanical stress and the recipient’s immune system (both cellular and humoral immunities), while allowing bidirectional diffusion of nutrients, oxygen, glucose, hormones and wastes, i.e., immune-isolation. This device, which enables immune-isolation, is called encapsulated islets or bio-artificial pancreas. Encapsulation with a semipermeable membrane can provide some advantages: (1) this device protects transplanted cells from the recipient’s immunity even if the xenogeneic islets (from large animals such as pig) or insulin-producing cells are derived from cells that have the potential for differentiation (some kinds of stem cells). In other words, the encapsulation technique can resolve the problem of limited donor supplies; and (2) encapsulation can reduce or prevent chronic administration of immunosuppressants and, therefore, important side effects otherwise induced by immunosuppressants. And now, many novel encapsulated islet systems have been developed and are being prepared for testing in a clinical setting.

Effects of human umbilical cord serum on proliferation and insulin content of human fetal islet-like cell clusters

BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabets is an autoimmune disease caused by the destruction of pancreatic β-cell with an in- creased incidence worldwide in the closing decades of the 20th century. This study was to investigate the effects of human umbilical cord serum (UCS) on the proliferation and function of human fetal islet-like cell clusters (ICCs) in vitro. METHODS: Eight fresh pancreatic glands obtained after in- duction of labor with water bag were mildly exposed to col- lagenase V, and the digested cells were cultured in a RPMI- 1640 medium plus 10% pooled UCS or fetal calf serum (FCS) to permit cells attachment and outgrowth of ICCs. RESULTS: In 8 consecutively explanted glands, develop- ment and proliferation of ICCs were observed. In the pre- sence of FCS, the outgrowth of ICC took place on the top of a flbroblast monocellular layer. UCS affected less growth of fibroblasts and increased the formation of ICCs about four-fold compared with explants from the same glands maintained in FCS. In both UCS and FCS, the insulin con- tent of the medium was variable to a certain extent and progressively declined from day 2 to day 6. Dithizone- stained ICCs in UCS suggested that most cell clusters were islet cells ( β-cells), and the purity of islets was estimated 80%-90%. The ultrastructure of the cultured cells showed a large number of granule-containing cells, most of which were identified as β-cells. CONCLUSION: We conclude that in comparison with ex- plants with FCS, the yield of ICCs and purification of islet cells are markedly increased by UCS and may facilitate the proliferation of pancreatic β-cells intended for islet trans- plantation.

Preparation of Recombinant Islet Cell Autoantigen 69 kD Fusion Protein

To get recombinant antigen (Is/et Cell Autoantigen 69)ICA69 which was expressed in Escherichia coli strains (E.coli) by means of the gene engineering technique so that it can be used for early diagnosis of and screening in type Ⅰ diabetes mellitus, the cDNA fragment of human ICA69 was amplified by PCR, and then cloned into pSPORT 1 vector. After DNA sequencing, it was inserted into pGEX-2T between the sites of EcoR Ⅰ and Sma Ⅰ, then recombinant plasmid p2T-ICA69 was constructed and introduced into E.coli. The GST-ICA69 fusion protein was expressed by the induction of IPTG. The recombinant ICA69 proteins were used to detect the antibodies against hICA69 in 100 healthy subjects and type Ⅰ diabetic serum by the use of indirect ELISA. The sequence analysis showed that the amplified fragments contained 1449 bp, encoded 483 amino acids, and had been correctly inserted into pGEX-2T vector. The recombinant proteins expressed in the prokaryotic cells had immunogenicity and could be used to detect antibodies against ICA69 in type Ⅰ diabetic serum. Finally it can be concluded in this paper that the expression products obtained by the method of gene engineering are recombinant ICA69 antigen and may be used to improve the forecast rate and the diagnostic rate of type Ⅰ diabetes in combination with other tests.

Intra-islet endothelial cell and β-cell crosstalk: Implication for islet cell transplantation

The intra-islet microvasculature is a critical interface between the blood and islet endocrine cells governing a number of cellular and pathophysiological processes associated with the pancreatic tissue. A growing body of evidence indicates a strong functional and physical interdependency of β-cells with endothelial cells(ECs), the building blocks of islet microvasculature. Intra-islet ECs, actively regulate vascular permeability and appear to play a role in fine-tuning blood glucose sensing and regulation. These cells also tend to behave as "guardians", controlling the expression and movement of a number of important immune mediators, thereby strongly contributing to the physiology of islets. This review will focus on the molecular signalling and crosstalk between the intra-islet ECs and β-cells and how their relationship can be a potential target for intervention strategies in islet pathology and islet transplantation.