Pancreatic beta cells: responding to the matrix.
In a recent issue of Developmental Cell, Nikolova et al. (2006) make the unusual discovery that, unlike most epithelial cells, pancreatic beta cells do not produce a basement membrane of extracellular matrix. Rather, the matrix is provided to a subset of beta cells by local capillary endothelial cells, explaining in part how the endothelium helps promote optimal levels of insulin production.
Zaret
Kenneth S
KS
Cell and Developmental Biology Program, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19111, USA.
D000818:Animals; D002196:Capillaries / Q000166:cytology; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism*; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000378:metabolism*; D007328:Insulin / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000378:metabolism; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000378:metabolism*
D007328:Insulin