Mouse islet‐derived stellate cells are similar to, but distinct from, mesenchymal stromal cells and influence the beta cell function

作者：Wei Xu, Yunting Zhou, Tianyuan Wang, Chengming Ni, Chunlei Wang, Rui Li, Xuekui Liu, Jun Liang, Tzu‐Wen Hong, Bo Liu, Aileen King, Shanta J. Persaud, Zilin Sun, Peter M. Jones · 发表于：Diabetic Medicine · 年份：2024 · DOI：10.1111/dme.15279 · 被引用次数：4 · 研究领域：Pancreatic function and diabetes、Mesenchymal stem cell research、Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine

AIMS: Evidence is accumulating of the therapeutic benefits of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in diabetes-related conditions. We have identified a novel population of stromal cells within islets of Langerhans - islet stellate cells (ISCs) - which have a similar morphology to MSCs. In this study we characterize mouse ISCs and compare their morphology and function to MSCs to determine whether ISCs may also have therapeutic potential in diabetes. METHODS: ISCs isolated from mouse islets were compared to mouse bone marrow MSCs by analysis of cell morphology; expression of cell-surface markers and extracellular matrix (ECM) components; proliferation; apoptosis; paracrine activity; and differentiation into adipocytes, chondrocytes and osteocytes. We also assessed the effects of co-culture with ISCs or MSCs on the insulin secretory capacity of islet beta cells. RESULTS: Although morphological similar, ISCs were functionally distinct from MSCs. Thus, ISCs were less proliferative and more apoptotic; they had different expression levels of important paracrine factors; and they were less efficient at differentiation down multiple lineages. Co-culture of mouse islets with ISCs enhanced glucose induced insulin secretion more effectively than co-culture with MSCs. CONCLUSIONS: ISCs are a specific sub-type of islet-derived stromal cells that possess biological behaviors distinct from MSCs. The enhanced beneficial effects of ISCs on islet beta cell function suggests that they may offer a th...