Ultrastructural changes in pancreatic beta cells treated with NGF and dbcAMP

Nerve growth factor (NGF) induces morphological and physiological changes in cultured pancreatic beta-cells, including the extension of neurite-like processes. This latter effect is potentiated by dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP). beta-cells cultured under these conditions maintain their immunoreactivity to...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Cell and tissue research 2001-09, Vol.305 (3), p.365-378
Main Authors: González del Pliego, M, Aguirre-Benítez, E, Sánchez-Soto, M C, Larrieta, M E, Velázquez-Carranza, A, Vidaltamayo, R, Meza-Mora, M, Zepeda-Rodríguez, A, Hernández-Falcón, J, Hiriart, M
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animals
Bucladesine - pharmacology
Cells, Cultured
Cytoplasmic Vesicles - chemistry
Cytoplasmic Vesicles - ultrastructure
gamma-Aminobutyric Acid - analysis
Insulin - analysis
Islets of Langerhans - chemistry
Islets of Langerhans - drug effects
Islets of Langerhans - ultrastructure
Male
Microscopy, Electron
Microscopy, Electron, Scanning
Microscopy, Immunoelectron
Nerve Growth Factor - pharmacology
Neurites - chemistry
Neurites - drug effects
Rats
Rats, Wistar
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Summary:Nerve growth factor (NGF) induces morphological and physiological changes in cultured pancreatic beta-cells, including the extension of neurite-like processes. This latter effect is potentiated by dibutyryl cAMP (dbcAMP). beta-cells cultured under these conditions maintain their immunoreactivity to insulin and gamma-amino-butyric acid (GABA). NGF, dbcAMP, and high glucose concentrations also increase the expression of the GABA-synthesizing enzyme glutamic acid decarboxylase-65 in cultured beta-cells. The aim of this work was to study the effect of NGF alone or in combination with dbcAMP on pancreatic beta-cell ultrastructural morphology, after 10 days in culture. We used light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy to analyze the modifications in cell surface and neurite-like projections. Morphometric analysis showed that NGF and/or dbcAMP treatment substantially increased the insulin and GABA content in granules and rough endoplasmic reticulum. Given that pancreatic beta-cells express NGF receptors and that NGF is synthesized and secreted by beta-cells, these results further suggest that NGF could have trophic actions on pancreatic hormone synthesis and/or storage.
ISSN:0302-766X
1432-0878
DOI:10.1007/s004410100411