Endocrine Abstracts

The islets of Langerhans are the small endocrine micro-organs embedded in the exocrine pancreas. The beta-cells of the islets secrete insulin with its well-known blood glucose-lowering effects and that becomes deficient in diabetes. The islets also secrete glucagon (from alpha-cells), the body’s principal blood glucose-increasing hormone. The release of glucagon also becomes impaired in diabetes, which contributes to the metabolic impact of the lack of insulin and complicates therapy. However, compared to the beta-cells, the alpha-cells have received very little attention. My talk will highlight the role of a third islet cell – the delta cell that secretes somatostatin. Although the delta-cells only comprise a few per cent of the islet number, they influence the function of most of the other islet cells via their long neurone-like extensions. Our studies have revealed a complex crosstalk between the different islet cells, which is required for normal physiological regulation of islet hormone release, how it becomes disrupted in diabetes and the potential therapeutic opportunities.