title: Immuolocalization of nestin in pancreatic tissue of mice at different ages.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To localize nestin positive cells (NPC) in pancreatic tissue of mice of different ages.
  
  
  METHODS
  Paraffin sections of 6-8 mum of fixed pancreatic samples were mounted on poly-L-lysine coated slides and used for Immunolocalization using appropriate primary antibodies (Nestin, Insulin, Glucagon), followed by addition of a fluorescently labeled secondary antibody. The antigen-antibody localization was captured using a confocal microscope (Leica SP 5 series).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In 3-6 d pups, the NPC were localized towards the periphery of the endocrine portion, as evident from immunolocalization of insulin and glucagon, while NPC were absent in the acinar portion. At 2 wk, NPC were localized in both the exocrine and endocrine portions. Interestingly, in 4-wk-old mice NPC were seen only in the endocrine portion, towards the periphery, and were colocalised with the glucagon positive cells. In the pancreas of 8- wk-old mice, the NPC were predominantly localized in the central region of the islet clusters, where immunostaining for insulin was at a maximum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We report for the first time the immunolocalization of NPC in the pancreas of mice of different ages (3 d to 8 wk) with reference to insulin and glucagon positive cells. The heterogeneous localization of the NPC observed may be of functional and developmental significance and suggest(s) that mice pancreatic tissue can be a potential source of progenitor cells. NPC from the pancreas can be isolated, proliferated and programmed to differentiate into insulin secreting cells under the appropriate microenvironment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, National Institute of Nutrition, Tarnaka, Hyderabad 500007, India.
authors.forename: Raj-K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Dorisetty
authors.forename: Sashi-G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kiran
authors.forename: Malathi-R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Umrani
authors.forename: Sesikeran
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Boindala
authors.forename: Ramesh-R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Bhonde
authors.forename: Vijayalakshmi
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Venkatesan
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000378:metabolism*; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn / Q000378:metabolism*; D005934:Glucagon / Q000378:metabolism; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D064231:Nestin; D010179:Pancreas / Q000166:cytology / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D007328:Insulin; D007381:Intermediate Filament Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C577485:Nes protein, mouse; D064231:Nestin; D005934:Glucagon