Investigation of Ephrin-A reverse signalling in pancreatic islets (B11)

在胰岛细胞固有分化的过程中，胰岛细胞间的黏附导致胰岛的形成。当葡萄糖浓度升高时，这种细胞间的黏附会自适应地增加，这对生理胰岛素的分泌是必不可少的。我们最近发现，β细胞通过Ephin-A1和Ephin-A5以及各种EphA受体相互黏附和交流(Cell(2007)129：359-370)。在这里，我们想要识别和表征这一适应性信号通路在胰岛β细胞中的组成，并研究其在II型糖尿病中的作用。

Adhesion among beta cells leads to the formation of pancreatic islets in the course of inherent beta cell differentiation. This cell-cell adhesion adaptively increases when the glucose concentration rises, and it is essential for physiologic insulin secretion. We have recently shown that beta cells adhere and communicate with each other via ephrin-A1 and ephrin-A5 as well as various EphA receptors (Cell (2007) 129: 359-370). Here we would like to identify and characterize the components of this adaptive signaling pathway in pancreatic beta cells and study its role in type II diabetes mellitus.