Increased c-met expression during ductal beta cell neogenesis in experimental autoimmune diabetes.
C-met immunoreactivity and its co-expression with duct-associated insulin were evaluated in pancreata of non-obese diabetic (NOD) and low-dose streptozotocin (Id-STZ) mice. Diabetic NOD and non-diabetic NOD at the age of 4-8, 15-22 and 30-41 weeks and Balb/c mice at the same age intervals were studied. Ld-STZ mice were studied at day 12 and 24 after STZ administration. A stronger ductal c-met immunoreactivity and a significantly higher number of c-met positive ducts were found in diabetic NOD vs both non-diabetic NOD and Balb/c mice of comparable age. In non-diabetic NOD, the ductal c-met immunoreactivity progressively increased with age and was significantly higher than controls. In 1d-STZ mice a significantly increased ductal c-met immunoreactivity was detected both at day 12 and 24 vs untreated mice. C-met positive ductal cells were also positive for insulin although insulin positive c-met negative ducts were present. This study showed an increased c-met expression and the co-expression of c-met and duct-associated insulin, in both NOD and 1d-STZ mice.
Bulotta
A
A
Department of Clinical Sciences, University of Rome La Sapienza, Rome, Italy.
Di Cesare
E
E
Ponte
E
E
Falchi
M
M
Sciacchitano
S
S
Cucinotta
D
D
Taruscio
D
D
Di Mario
U
U
Anastasi
E
E
D000818:Animals; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000378:metabolism*; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
D007328:Insulin; D017228:Hepatocyte Growth Factor; D019859:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met