Evidence of a developmental origin for ?-cell heterogeneity using a dual lineage-tracing technology.

ABSTRACT: The Cre/loxP system has been used extensively in mouse models with a limitation of one lineage at a time. Differences in function and other properties among populations of adult ?-cells is termed ?-cell heterogeneity, which was recently associated with diabetic phenotypes. Nevertheless, the presence of a developmentally derived ?-cell heterogeneity is unclear. Here, we have developed a novel dual lineage-tracing technology, using a combination of two recombinase systems, Dre/RoxP and Cre/LoxP, to independently trace green fluorescent Pdx1-lineage cells and red fluorescent Ptf1a-lineage cells in the developing and adult mouse pancreas. We detected a few Pdx1⁺/Ptf1a^- lineage cells in addition to the vast majority of Pdx1⁺/Ptf1a⁺ lineage cells in the pancreas. Moreover, Pdx1⁺/Ptf1a⁺ lineage ?-cells had fewer Ki-67⁺ proliferating ?-cells, and expressed higher mRNA levels of insulin, Glut2, Pdx1, MafA and Nkx6.1, but lower CCND1 and CDK4 levels, compared with Pdx1⁺/Ptf1a^- lineage ?-cells. Furthermore, more TSQ-high, SSC-high cells were detected in the Pdx1⁺Ptf1a⁺ lineage population than in the Pdx1⁺Ptf1a^- lineage population. Together, these data suggest that differential activation of Ptf1a in the developing pancreas may correlate with this ?-cell heterogeneity.

SUBMITTER: Chen C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6633602 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature