Impact

If we understand how a healthy pancreas is formed, we will be better at developing treatments for pancreas diseases (pancreas cancer, pancreatitis, or diabetes). Also, we need this understanding to instruct stem cells to form insulin-producing cells for cell therapy in severe cases of diabetes type 1 with inadequate control of blood sugar levels.

reNEW research

We now understand that the interplay between the different cell types in the pancreas is highly complex and very fine tuned. We know that the insulin-producing cells are formed among the ductal cells shown in the image. We also know that it depends on the gene activity in these cells as well as on signals from the neighbouring cells.

The duct cells are polarised. That means that the part of the cell surface facing towards the inside of the duct is different than the opposite side of the cell.

Image description

We can see the duct cell nuclei in red and the part of the cells that form the inside surface of the ducts in green. Other parts of the cells are not visible. And other cell types are not visible.

The ducts form a tree-like structure that allows for the ‘pancreatic juice’ to flow from the cells through the ducts into the intestine to help digest the food.

Credits

Mette Christine Jørgensen, scientist Serup Lab, reNEW Copenhagen.