(Journal Article): Neurotrophins and Neurotrophin Receptors mRNAs Expression in Pancreatic Islets and Insulinoma Cell Lines
 
Bonini P, Pierucci D, Cicconi S, Porzio O, Lauro R, Marlier LNJL, Borboni P (Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Rome "Tor Vergata". Rome, Italy. National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Neurobiology and Molecular Medicine (INeMM). Rome, Italy, borboni@uniroma2.it )
 
IN: JOP. J Pancreas (Online) 2001; 02(3):105

Fulltext:    HTML  PDF

ABSTRACT: CONTEXT: It is worth noting that islets and betaTC6-F7 cells share a common pattern of expression of neurotrophins and neurotrophin receptors. Recently, several studies have hypothesized a role for nerve growth factor in pancreatic development and maturation, suggesting that nerve growth factor may be a survival factor for pancreatic beta-cells. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to investigate the pattern of expression of neurotrophins and their relative receptors both in rat pancreatic islets and in a wide panel of insulinoma cell lines. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A semi-quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis was performed on ribonucleic acids extracted from these cells. RESULTS: Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrates that brain-derived neurotrophic factor, as well as neurotrophins 3 and 4, are expressed both in islets and in all insulinoma cells, while nerve growth factor is expressed only in islets, betaTC6-F7 cells and, at a low level, in RIN 1046-38 cells. Receptors protein tyrosine kinase A and C are ubiquitously expressed both in islets and insulinoma cells. Tyrosine kinase B is absent in HIT-T15 cells. CONCLUSIONS: These data indicate that betaTC6-F7 cells are a suitable model for studying the role of neurotrophins in the survival of beta-cells.

TYPE OF PUBLICATION: Original Article