Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Beta cell connectivity describes the phenomenon whereby the islet context improves insulin secretion by providing a three-dimensional platform for intercellular signaling processes. Thus, the precise flow of information through homotypically interconnected beta cells leads to the large-scale organization of hormone release activities, influencing cell responses to glucose and other secretagogues. Although a phenomenon whose importance has arguably been underappreciated in islet biology until recently, a growing number of studies suggest that such cell-cell communication is a fundamental property of this micro-organ. Hence, connectivity may plausibly be targeted by both environmental and genetic factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) to perturb normal beta cell function and insulin release. Here, we review the mechanisms that contribute to beta cell connectivity, discuss how these may fail during T2DM, and examine approaches to restore insulin secretion by boosting cell communication.

Original publication

DOI

10.1007/s00018-014-1755-4

Type

Journal article

Journal

Cell Mol Life Sci

Publication Date

2015

Volume

72

Pages

453 - 467

Keywords

Animals Cell Communication/*physiology Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/*physiopathology Gap Junctions/physiology Glucagon-Like Peptide 1/metabolism Glucose/metabolism Humans Insulin/*metabolism Insulin Secretion Insulin-Secreting Cells/*physiology Islets of Langerhans/*cytology/innervation/metabolism/physiology *Models, Biological Paracrine Communication/physiology