Is a β cell a β cell?

Abstract

Purpose of review This report examines recent publications identifying phenotypic and functional heterogeneity among pancreatic β cells and investigating their potential roles in normal and abnormal islet function. The development of new methods and tools for the study of individual islet cells has produced a surge of interest in this topic. Recent findings Studies of β cell maturation and pregnancy-induced proliferation have identified changes in serotonin and transcription factors SIX2/3 expression as markers of temporal heterogeneity. Structural and functional heterogeneity in the form of functionally distinct ‘hub’ and ‘follower’ β cells was found in mouse islets. Heterogeneous expression of Fltp (in mouse β cells) and ST8SIA1 and CD9 (in human β cells) were associated with distinct functional potential. Several impressive reports describing the transcriptomes of individual β cells were also published in recent months. Some of these reveal previously unknown β cell subpopulations. Summary A wealth of information on functional and phenotypic heterogeneity has been collected recently, including the transcriptomes of individual β cells and the identities of functionally distinct β cell subpopulations. Several studies suggest the existence of two broad categories: a more proliferative but less functional and a less proliferative but more functional β cell type. The identification of functionally distinct subpopulations and their association with type 2 diabetes underlines the potential clinical importance of these investigations.

Maturation of beta cells: lessons from in vivo and in vitro models

“…The current understanding of beta cell maturation is that such a process is a spectrum rather than a binary state [8][9][10]. Mature functionality may itself also be a dynamic process, whereby beta cells flux from active to inactive states, or be dependent on the interplay of functionally heterogeneous beta cell pools [11][12][13][14][15][16]. Functional maturation can be a reversible process, as beta cell dedifferentiation and senescence, with resultant functional deterioration, are known to be associated with the onset of diabetes [17][18][19].…”

Differential Expression of lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA and Their Related Functional Networks in New-Onset Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus among Chinese Rural Adults

“…The PPI network revealed key regulatory genes, including AGTR2 , SCD5 , ST8SIA1 , GOT1 , PLCB1, and MGLL. Interestingly, previous studies also found that lipid metabolism and insulin sensitivity were improved in SCD-deficient mice; and ST8SIA1 was involved in the regulation of insulin secretion [ 41 , 42 ].…”