About this Research Topic
Developing methods to replace functional beta cells is crucial for treating diabetes. The debate over whether adult pancreatic islets contain tissue stem/progenitor cells remains unresolved. Some studies suggest that pancreatic duct cells can undergo a transition similar to embryonic progenitor cells to generate endocrine cells, while others dispute this due to issues with cell lineage specificity. Single-cell RNA sequencing indicates that islet and pancreatic duct cells are heterogeneous, making it difficult to reach a clear conclusion. Moreover, recent reports indicate that human pancreatic slice cultures from the same donor can generate new functional endocrine cells through an intermediate duct-acinar stage.
Given the evident need for further discussion and research, we aim to explore and clarify the potential for generating functional beta cells in adult pancreatic islets with this collection. We would like to focus on understanding the proliferative and differentiation potentials of pancreatic ductal cells, islet β-cells, and islet non-β-cells. We also welcome studies examining the parallels between pancreatic β-cell neogenesis and adult neurogenesis, seeking common regulatory mechanisms for stem/progenitor cell proliferation, differentiation, and conversion processes. Contributions will include different article types that compare these regenerative processes across different organs and species.
Areas to be covered might include but are not limited to:
• Pancreatic duct cells and endocrine cell generation: studies investigating the potential of pancreatic duct cells to transition and generate endocrine cells, including research delving into the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transitions in this process.
• Ductal cell polarization and differentiation
• Heterogeneity in islet and pancreatic duct cells
• Human pancreatic slice cultures
• Regeneration in postnatal mouse islets: studies evaluating the maturation of Glut2-positive β-cells from immature Glut2-negative β-cells and investigating the origin of immature β-cells from non-β cells and their plasticity under dietary changes.
• Comparative insights from neural stem cell research
• Cross-organ comparisons in regenerative medicine
• Mechanisms of stem/progenitor cell behavior: signaling and conversion mechanisms that regulate stem/progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation.
• Mitotic axis and fate determination
• Role of the vascular niche in maintaining adult stem cells in the pancreas
• Homology with neuroepithelium
• Effects of nutrition on the β cell neogenesis
• Decoupling of proliferation from differentiation for expansion of pancreatic progenitors
• Autophagy, stress-induced β cell neogenesis
• Reversal of type 2 diabetes
We accept different article types including Mini-Reviews, Brief Research Reports, and Perspectives. A full list of accepted article types, including descriptions, can be found at this link.
Given the evident need for further discussion and research, we aim to explore and clarify the potential for generating functional beta cells in adult pancreatic islets with this collection. We would like to focus on understanding the proliferative and differentiation potentials of pancreatic ductal cells, islet β-cells, and islet non-β-cells. We also welcome studies examining the parallels between pancreatic β-cell neogenesis and adult neurogenesis, seeking common regulatory mechanisms for stem/progenitor cell proliferation, differentiation, and conversion processes. Contributions will include different article types that compare these regenerative processes across different organs and species.
Areas to be covered might include but are not limited to:
• Pancreatic duct cells and endocrine cell generation: studies investigating the potential of pancreatic duct cells to transition and generate endocrine cells, including research delving into the role of epithelial-mesenchymal transitions in this process.
• Ductal cell polarization and differentiation
• Heterogeneity in islet and pancreatic duct cells
• Human pancreatic slice cultures
• Regeneration in postnatal mouse islets: studies evaluating the maturation of Glut2-positive β-cells from immature Glut2-negative β-cells and investigating the origin of immature β-cells from non-β cells and their plasticity under dietary changes.
• Comparative insights from neural stem cell research
• Cross-organ comparisons in regenerative medicine
• Mechanisms of stem/progenitor cell behavior: signaling and conversion mechanisms that regulate stem/progenitor cell proliferation and differentiation.
• Mitotic axis and fate determination
• Role of the vascular niche in maintaining adult stem cells in the pancreas
• Homology with neuroepithelium
• Effects of nutrition on the β cell neogenesis
• Decoupling of proliferation from differentiation for expansion of pancreatic progenitors
• Autophagy, stress-induced β cell neogenesis
• Reversal of type 2 diabetes
We accept different article types including Mini-Reviews, Brief Research Reports, and Perspectives. A full list of accepted article types, including descriptions, can be found at this link.
Keywords: beta cells, beta cell neogenesis, tissue stem cells, clonal analysis, apical-basal cell polarity, stem cell niche, neural stem cells, signaling pathways
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