The function of pancreatic β-cells is the synthesis and release of insulin, the main hormone
involved in blood glucose homeostasis. Estrogen receptors, ERα and ERβ, are important …

The origin of soluble CD14 (sCD14) in the circulation is uncertain. To examine whether CD14
could be an acute-phase protein (APP), the levels of sCD14, IL-6, and C-reactive protein …

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are among the most frequently used cell type for
regenerative medicine. A large number of studies have shown the beneficial effects of MSC-based …

High glucose concentrations have a dual effect on β-cell turnover, inducing proliferation in
the short-term and apoptosis in the long-term. Hyperglycemia leads to β-cell production of …

The mechanism by which the β-cell transcription factor Pax4 influences cell function/mass
was studied in rat and human islets of Langerhans. Pax4 transcripts were detected in adult rat …

Thyroid function is central in the control of physiological and pathophysiological processes.
Studies in animal models and human research have determined that thyroid hormones …

Mutations in the transcription factor Pdx1 cause maturity-onset diabetes of the young 4 (MODY4).
Islet transduction with dominant-negative Pdx1 (RIPDN79PDX1) impairs mitochondrial …

Insulin secretion regulates glucose homeostasis and its dysregulation causes type 2
diabetes. Short noncoding microRNAs have now been shown to control exocytosis, the final …

Previous studies have documented that the insulin-producing β-cells of laboratory rodents
are coupled by gap junction channels made solely of the connexin36 (Cx36) protein, and …

Plasma insulin levels are determined mainly by the rate of exocytosis of the insulin-containing
large dense core vesicles (LDCVs) of pancreatic islet β-cells. This process involves the …