A porcine islet of Langerhans. The left image is a brightfield image created using hematoxylin stain; nuclei are dark circles and the acinar pancreatic tissue is darker than the islet tissue. Haematoxylin, hematoxylin, Natural Black 1, or CI 75290 is extracted from the wood of the Logwood tree An acinus (adjective acinar, plural acini) refers to the berry-shaped termination of an Exocrine gland, where the secretion is produced The right image is the same section stained by immunofluorescence against insulin, indicating beta cells.

Beta cells (beta-cells, β-cells) are a type of cell in the pancreas in areas called the islets of Langerhans. The cell is the structural and functional unit of all known living Organisms It is the smallest unit of an organism that is classified as living and is often called The pancreas is a Gland organ in the digestive and Endocrine system of Vertebrates. Islets of Langerhans is the area in which the Endocrine (ie hormone-producing cells of the Pancreas are grouped They make up 65-80% of the cells in the islets.

Function

Beta cells make and release insulin, a hormone that controls the level of glucose in the blood. Insulin is a Hormone with intensive effects on both metabolism and several other body systems (eg vascular compliance Hormones (from Greek ὁρμή - "impetus" are chemicals released by cells that affect cells in other parts of the body Glucose (Glc a Monosaccharide (or simple Sugar) also known as grape sugar, is an important Carbohydrate in Biology. There is a baseline level of insulin maintained by the pancreas, but it can respond quickly to spikes in blood glucose by releasing stored insulin while simultaneously producing more. The response time is fairly quick, taking approximately 10 minutes.

Apart from insulin, beta cells release C-peptide, a byproduct of insulin production, into the bloodstream in equimolar quantities. C-peptide is a Peptide which is made when Proinsulin is split into Insulin and C-peptide C-peptide helps to prevent neuropathy, and other symptoms of diabetes related to vascular deterioration^[1]. Measuring the levels of C-peptide can give a practitioner an idea of the viable beta cell mass. ^[2]

β-cells also produce amylin,^[3] also known as IAPP, islet amyloid polypeptide. Amylin or Islet Amyloid Polypeptide (IAPP is a 37-residue Peptide hormone secreted by pancreatic β-cells at the same time as Insulin Amylin functions as part of the endocrine pancreas and contributes to glycemic control. Amylin's metabolic function is now somewhat well characterized as an inhibitor of the appearance of nutrient [especially glucose] in the plasma. It thus functions as a synergistic partner to insulin. Whereas insulin regulates long term food intake, increased amylin decreases food intake in the short term.

Pathology

• Diabetes mellitus type 1 is caused by the destruction or dysfunction of insulin-producing beta cells by the cells of the immune system. Diabetes mellitus type 1 (Type 1 diabetes Type I diabetes T1D T1DM IDDM juvenile diabetes is a form of Diabetes mellitus.

• In Diabetes mellitus type 2, by contrast, beta cells decline gradually over time, and insulin resistance plays at least as large a role in the disease ^[4][5]

• Insulinoma is a rare tumor (usually benign) derived from beta cells. Diabetes mellitus type 2 or Type 2 Diabetes (formerly called non - Insulin -dependent Diabetes mellitus (NIDDM or adult-onset diabetes is a metabolic Insulin resistance is the condition in which normal amounts of Insulin are inadequate to produce a normal Insulin response from Fat, Muscle An insulinoma is a Tumour of the Pancreas derived from the Beta cells which while retaining the ability to synthesize and secrete Insulin is autonomous It results in recurrent and prolonged attacks of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia or hypoglycaemia is the medical term for a pathologic state produced by a lower than normal level of Glucose ( sugar) in the blood

Research

Much research is being done in the field of beta-cell physiology and pathology. One major research topic is its effects on diabetes. Many researchers are trying to find ways to use these beta-cells to help control or prevent diabetes. A major topic is the replication of adult beta-cells and the application of these to diabetes. The Larry L. Hillblom Islet Research Center at UCLA^[6] is a leading research center in the field, within the Diabetes and Endocrinology Research Center^[7], directed by Dr. Peter Butler. ^[8]

A team science effort also exists, known as the Beta Cell Biology Consortium (BCBC). ^[9] The BCBC is responsible for facilitating interdisciplinary approaches that will advance the understanding of pancreatic islet development and function. The long-term goal of the BCBC is to develop a cell-based therapy for insulin delivery.

See also

• Gastric inhibitory polypeptide receptor
• List of terms associated with diabetes

References

External links

• MeSH Pancreatic+beta+cells