Vascular-derived connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf) is critical for pregnancy-induced ? cell hyperplasia in adult mice.

ABSTRACT: During pregnancy, maternal ? cells undergo compensatory changes including hypertrophy, hyperplasia, and increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Failure of these adaptations to occur can result in gestational diabetes mellitus. The secreted protein, Connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf), is critical for normal ? cell development and promotes regeneration after partial ? cell ablation. During embryogenesis, Ctgf is expressed in pancreatic ducts, vasculature, and ? cells. In the adult pancreas, Ctgf is expressed only in the vasculature. Here, we report that pregnant mice with global Ctgf haploinsufficiency (CtgfLacZ/+) have an impairment in maternal ? cell proliferation, while ? cell proliferation in virgin CtgfLacZ/+ females is unaffected. Additionally, ?-cell proliferation, ? cell size, and GSIS were unaffected in CtgfLacZ/+ mice, suggesting that vascular-derived Ctgf has a specific role in islet compensation during pregnancy.

SUBMITTER: Pasek RC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5710701 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature