title: Cellular mechanisms of insulin release. Effects of retinoids on rat islet cell-to-cell adhesion, reaggregation, and insulin release.
abstract: We studied the effects of retinoids on islet cell-to-cell adhesiveness and glucose-induced insulin release from rat islets. For adhesion studies, islets were dispersed using low concentrations of trypsin. Thirteen cis-retinoic acid (13 cis-RA) was added to a suspension of 15 X 10(5) islet cells and adhesion of cells was quantitated using a hemocytometer. For functional studies, we measured biphasic insulin release from collagenase-isolated perifused islets, dispersed cells, and single large aggregates (clumps) of islet cells. Thirteen cis-RA (10(-4) M) stimulated insulin secretion at 9.7, 12.5, 16.7, and 27.7 mM glucose. Maximal effects of 13 cis-RA (174% of control) were evident during second phase release at 9.7 mM glucose. Thirteen cis-RA (10(-7) and 10(-6) M) caused cells to adhere to each other, and at higher concentrations, 13 cis-RA caused dispersed cells to reaggregate into a single clump. These retinoid-induced clumps were perifused in a Bio-Gel P-2 gel column. Secretion from the clump was twofold greater than from an equal number of perifused dispersed cells. Electron microscopic and freeze-fracture examination of the clump showed reaggregated cells to be intact and the presence of gap junctions between cells. In conclusion, 13 cis-RA has marked effects on islet cell-to-cell adhesiveness. Trypsin-dispersed cells reaggregated by 13 cis-RA have anatomical contacts and secrete more insulin as an aggregate than as dispersed cells. Thirteen cis-RA increases insulin release possibly by increasing adhesion or interactions between beta-cells.
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002448:Cell Adhesion / Q000187:drug effects*; D002450:Cell Communication / Q000187:drug effects; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism*; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D015474:Isotretinoin; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D012176:Retinoids / Q000494:pharmacology*; D014212:Tretinoin / Q000494:pharmacology
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D012176:Retinoids; D014212:Tretinoin; D015474:Isotretinoin; D005947:Glucose