Using pancreas tissue slices for in situ studies of islet of Langerhans and acinar cell biology.
Studies on the cellular function of the pancreas are typically performed in vitro on its isolated functional units, the endocrine islets of Langerhans and the exocrine acini. However, these approaches are hampered by preparation-induced changes of cell physiology and the lack of an intact surrounding. We present here a detailed protocol for the preparation of pancreas tissue slices. This procedure is less damaging to the tissue and faster than alternative approaches, and it enables the in situ study of pancreatic endocrine and exocrine cell physiology in a conserved environment. Pancreas tissue slices facilitate the investigation of cellular mechanisms underlying the function, pathology and interaction of the endocrine and exocrine components of the pancreas. We provide examples for several experimental applications of pancreas tissue slices to study various aspects of pancreas cell biology. Furthermore, we describe the preparation of human and porcine pancreas tissue slices for the validation and translation of research findings obtained in the mouse model. Preparation of pancreas tissue slices according to the protocol described here takes less than 45 min from tissue preparation to receipt of the first slices.
1] Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Research Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [2] Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [3] German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Dresden, Germany.
Anja
A
Marciniak
1] Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Research Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [2] Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [3] German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Dresden, Germany.
Christian M
CM
Cohrs
1] Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Research Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [2] Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [3] German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Dresden, Germany.
Vasiliki
V
Tsata
1] Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Research Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [2] Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [3] German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Dresden, Germany.
Julie A
JA
Chouinard
1] Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Research Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [2] Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [3] German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Dresden, Germany.
Claudia
C
Selck
1] Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Research Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [2] Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [3] German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Dresden, Germany.
Julia
J
Stertmann
1] Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Research Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [2] Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [3] German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Dresden, Germany.
Saskia
S
Reichelt
Max Planck Institute of Neurobiology, Martinsried, Germany.
Tobias
T
Rose
Department of GI-, Thoracic- and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Florian
F
Ehehalt
Department of GI-, Thoracic- and Vascular Surgery, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany.
Jürgen
J
Weitz
1] Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [2] German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Dresden, Germany. [3] Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany.
Michele
M
Solimena
1] Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Maribor, Maribor, Slovenia. [2] Institute of Physiology, Center for Physiology and Pharmacology, Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria.
Marjan
0000000237444882
M
Slak Rupnik
1] Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) Research Center for Regenerative Therapies Dresden (CRTD), Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [2] Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden, University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany. [3] German Center for Diabetes Research (DZD), Dresden, Germany.
Stephan
S
Speier
D061354:Acinar Cells / Q000166:cytology*; D000818:Animals; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D003584:Cytological Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000166:cytology*; D051379:Mice; D008867:Microtomy / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010179:Pancreas / Q000166:cytology*; D051381:Rats; D034421:Sus scrofa