Polyclonal origin of pancreatic islets in aggregation mouse chimaeras.
In the present study, we have examined the origin and growth pattern of the beta cells in pancreatic islets, to determine whether a single progenitor cell gave rise to all the precursors of the islets, or if each of a few progenitor cells is the founder of a different islet, or if each islet is a mixture of cells originating from a pool of progenitor cells. Aggregation mouse chimaeras where the pancreatic beta cells derived from each embryo can be identified in the islets on histological sections were analyzed. In two chimaeras, all the islets contained cells from both the aggregated embryo. This clearly demonstrates that each islet resulted from several independent cells. In addition, the beta cells derived from either embryo component were in very small clusters in the islets, suggesting that in situ cell division did not account significantly for islet growth.
Unité de l'Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Institut Jacques Monod du Centre National de la Recherche, Scientifique et de l'Université, Paris VII, France.
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D000818:Animals; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000032:analysis / Q000652:urine; D002449:Cell Aggregation / Q000502:physiology; D002678:Chimera / Q000502:physiology; D005934:Glucagon / Q000032:analysis; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007328:Insulin / Q000032:analysis; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D051379:Mice; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D013004:Somatostatin / Q000032:analysis; D013234:Stem Cells / Q000502:physiology*
D002096:C-Peptide; D007328:Insulin; D013004:Somatostatin; D005934:Glucagon