Regulated β-cell regeneration in the adult mouse pancreas

Abstract

Objective: Several studies have shown that the adult pancreas possesses a limited potential for β–cell regeneration upon tissue injury. One of the difficulties in studying β-cell regeneration has been the lack of a robust, synchronized animal model system that would allow controlled regulation of β-cell loss and subsequent proliferation in adult pancreas.

Research Design and Methods: Here we present a transgenic mouse regeneration model in which the c–Myc transcription factor/mutant estrogen receptor (cMycER^TAM) fusion protein can be specifically activated in mature β–cells. We have studied these transgenic mice by immunohistochemical and biochemical methods to assess the ablation and posterior regeneration of β-cells.

Results: Activation of the cMycER^TAM fusion protein results in synchronous and selective β–cell apoptosis followed by the onset of acute diabetes. Inactivation of c-Myc leads to gradual regeneration of insulin-expressing cells and reversal of diabetes.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that the mature pancreas has the ability to fully recover from almost complete ablation of all existing β–cells. Our results also suggest the regeneration of β-cells is mediated by replication of β-cells rather than neogenesis from pancreatic ducts.