Open AccessRegeneration of islet β‐cells in tree shrews and rats
Author(s) -
Zhao YuQiong,
Liu YaQian,
Yuan JiFang,
Dai Xin,
Niu MiaoMiao,
Sun XiaoMei,
Kuang DeXuan,
Wang WenGuang,
Tong PinFen,
Li Na,
Xiang Lei,
Jia YunXiao,
Dai JieJie,
Chen Hua
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
animal models and experimental medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2576-2095
DOI - 10.1002/ame2.12023
Subject(s) - islet , regeneration (biology) , biology , streptozotocin , h&e stain , staining , endocrinology , immunohistochemistry , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , insulin , diabetes mellitus , immunology , genetics
Backgroud Current understanding of injury and regeneration of islet β‐cells in diabetes is mainly based on rodent studies. The tree shrew is now generally accepted as being among the closest living relatives of primates, and has been widely used in animal experimentation. However, there are few reports on islet cell composition and regeneration of β‐cells in tree shrews. Methods In this study, we examined the changes in islet cell composition and regeneration of β‐cells after streptozotocin ( STZ ) treatment in tree shrews compared with Sprague‐Dawley rats. Injury and regeneration of islet β‐cells were observed using hematoxylin and eosin ( HE ) staining and immunohistochemical staining for insulin, glucagon, somatostatin and PDX ‐1. Results Our data showed that in rats islet injury was most obvious on day 3 after injection, and islet morphologies were significantly restored by day 21. Regeneration of islet β‐cells was very pronounced in rats, and mainly involved regeneration of centro‐acinar cells and transformation of extra‐islet ductal cells. In tree shrews, the regeneration of islet β‐cells was not as significant. On days 3 and 7, only scattered regenerated cells were observed in the remaining islets. Further, no regeneration of centro‐acinar cells was observed. Conclusion The results suggest that the repair mechanism of islet β‐cells in tree shrews is similar to that of humans.