The researchers in Professor Berggren’s group are in the forefront of resolving key challenges in understanding the molecular signalling in the islets of Langerhans, the endocrine pancreas. Specification of differences between human and mouse islet architecture and function as well as possibility to image molecular processes in the living organism will eventually lead to insights into how to treat diabetes.
Over the last two decades researchers in Prof Berggren’s group have brought many new insights into signal-transduction within the insulin-producing beta cell. The majority of the discoveries were however made under conditions, where the cells were separated from their natural environment. Alongside that, there has been a growing awareness that the beta cells are to a large extend influenced by the unique environment of the islet of Langerhans. There, beta cells receive signals from other cells, such as for instance glucagon releasing alpha cells and endothelial cells from the supporting blood vessels.
Regulation of insulin release thus requires the interjection of a number of signals coming from surrounding cells in the pancreatic islet, the blood and nerve endings. Failure to coordinate these signals in a right way may be an explanation for why beta cells of diabetic patients fail to release enough insulin.
Over the past years, new insights into differences between human and mouse islets have shaken the diabetes research field. Mouse islets have been commonly used as a model to study the molecular processes and how they can be influenced to treat a diabetic patient. Now, Prof Berggren’s group focuses on defining the differences between mouse and human islets to make targeted and accurate treatment strategies applicable in man.
To study how insulin release is regulated from the pancreatic beta-cell in the context of the whole body, Prof Berggren’s group has developed InSight Technology: The islets are transplanted into the anterior chamber of the eye, where they are established, get blood supply and nerve connections, and function as they do in the pancreas. The technology gives a unique possibility to image the important molecular processes previously studied in beta cells separated from their natural environment. InSight is also vital for defining novel pharmacological strategies for the treatment of diabetes.
The results are summarized in the article published in September 2012: The pancreatic islet as a signaling hub. Barker CJ, Leibiger IB, Berggren PO. Advances in Biological Regulation. 2012 Sept 28.