부산대학교 도서관

The role of individual integrins in human β-cell development and function is largely unknown. This study describes the contribution of αv-integrins to human β-cell adhesion, spreading, and motility. Developmental differences in αv-integrin utilization are addressed by comparing the responses of adult and fetal β-cells, and vitronectin is used as a substrate based on its unique pattern of expression in the developing pancreas. Fetal and adult β-cells attached equally to vitronectin and integrin αvβ5 was found to support the adhesion of both mature and immature β-cell populations. Fetal β-cells were also observed to spread and migrate on vitronectin, and integrin αvβ1 was found to be essential for these responses. In contrast to their fetal counterparts, adult β-cells failed to either spread or migrate and this deficit was associated with a marked down-regulation of αvβ1 expression in adult islet preparations. The integrin αvβ3 was not found to support significant β-cell attachment or migration. Based on our findings, we conclude that integrins αvβ5 and αvβ1 are important mediators of human β-cell adhesion and motility, respectively. By sup- porting fetal β-cell migration, αvβ1 could play an important role in early motile processes required for islet neogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]