Andraž Stožer (Author), Marko Gosak (Author), Jurij Dolenšek (Author), Matjaž Perc (Author), Marko Marhl (Author), Marjan Rupnik (Author), Dean Korošak (Author)

Abstract

We propose a network representation of electrically coupled beta cells in islets of Langerhans. Beta cells are functionally connected on the basis of correlations between calcium dynamics of individual cells, obtained by means of confocal laser-scanning calcium imaging in islets from acute mouse pancreastissue slices. Obtained functional networks are analyzed in the light of known structural and physiological properties of islets. Focusing on the temporal evolution of the network under stimulation with glucose, we show thatthe dynamics are more correlated under stimulation than under non-stimulated conditions and that the highest overall correlation, largely independent of Euclidean distances between cells, is observed in the activation and deactivation phases when cells are driven by the external stimulus. Moreover, we find that the range of interactions in networks during activity shows a clear dependence on the Euclidean distance, lending support to previous observations that beta cells are synchronized via calcium waves spreading throughout islets. Most interestingly, the functional connectivity patterns between beta cells exhibit small-world properties, suggesting that beta cells do not form a homogeneous geometric network but are connected in a functionally more efficient way. Presented results provide support for the existing knowledge of beta cell physiology from a network perspective and shedimportant new light on the functional organization of beta cell syncitia whose structural topology is probably not as trivial as believed so far.

Keywords

Langerhansovi otočki;trebušna slinavka miši;

Data

Language: English
Year of publishing:
Typology: 1.01 - Original Scientific Article
Organization: UM MF - Faculty of Medicine
UDC: 612.349.7
COBISS: 512264760 Link will open in a new window
ISSN: 1553-734X
Views: 1011
Downloads: 366
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Other data

Secondary language: Slovenian
Secondary keywords: Islets of Langerhans;
URN: URN:SI:UM:
Type (COBISS): Scientific work
Pages: str. e100292312-1-e1002923-12
Volume: ǂVol. ǂ9
Issue: ǂiss. ǂ2
Chronology: Feb. 2013
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1002923
ID: 1439888