In vitro interactions between insulin-producing beta cells and embryonic dorsal root ganglia.
OBJECTIVE
It has been suggested that the autoimmune assault in type 1 diabetes is not restricted to islet beta cells but also encompasses intraislet nervous structures. Thus, in addition to modulating islet endocrine function, the nerves may also play a direct pathogenic role in diabetes. A major problem in determining the role of neurons in islet function is to distinguish specific neural effects from those mediated through the vascular system, extrinsic hormones, and/or nutritional factors. The aim of this study was to develop an in vitro system that will enable studies on communication between 1 particular type of neuron and islet cell.


METHODS
To achieve this, we cocultured rat islets and rat embryonic dorsal root ganglia (DRG) in a 3-dimensional roller-tube system for 1 to 4 weeks.


RESULTS
We found a distinct glucose-induced insulin response throughout the culture period. This response was lower compared with islets cultured alone. DRGs survived better when they were cocultured with islet cells.


CONCLUSIONS
The roller-tube coculture system provides a novel in vitro system for exploring the interaction between different subpopulations of neurons and pancreatic beta cells. Coculture with DRG neurons reduced glucose-induced insulin release from beta cells, indicating that sensory nerve activity inhibits the insulin response.
Kozlova
Elena N
EN
Department of Neuroscience, Uppsala University, Uppsala, Sweden. elena.kozlova@anatomi.uu.se
Jansson
Leif
L
D000818:Animals; D002450:Cell Communication; D018920:Coculture Techniques; D005260:Female; D005727:Ganglia, Spinal / Q000502:physiology*; D005947:Glucose / Q000494:pharmacology; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D000078790:Insulin Secretion; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley
D007328:Insulin; D005947:Glucose