Reduced synchroneity of intra-islet Ca²⁺ oscillations in vivo in Robo-deficient β cells.

ABSTRACT: The spatial architecture of the islets of Langerhans is hypothesized to facilitate synchronized insulin secretion among β cells, yet testing this in vivo in the intact pancreas is challenging. Robo βKO mice, in which the genes Robo1 and Robo2 are deleted selectively in β cells, provide a unique model of altered islet spatial architecture without loss of β cell differentiation or islet damage from diabetes. Combining Robo βKO mice with intravital microscopy, we show here that Robo βKO islets have reduced synchronized intra-islet Ca²⁺ oscillations among β cells in vivo. We provide evidence that this loss is not due to a β cell-intrinsic function of Robo, mis-expression or mis-localization of Cx36 gap junctions, or changes in islet vascularization or innervation, sugg

SUBMITTER: Adams MT 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8289414 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature