PUBLICATION

A new mode of pancreatic islet innervation revealed by live imaging in zebrafish

Authors
Yang, Y.H.C., Kawakami, K., Stainier, D.Y.
ID
ZDB-PUB-180622-23
Date
2018
Source
eLIFE   7: (Journal)
Registered Authors
Kawakami, Koichi, Stainier, Didier
Keywords
cell biology, developmental biology, stem cells, zebrafish
MeSH Terms
  • Animals
  • Animals, Genetically Modified
  • Biomarkers/metabolism
  • Cell Communication
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Cell Movement
  • Embryo, Nonmammalian
  • Endocrine Cells/cytology
  • Endocrine Cells/physiology*
  • Gene Expression
  • Insulin/genetics
  • Insulin/metabolism
  • Islets of Langerhans/cytology
  • Islets of Langerhans/innervation*
  • Islets of Langerhans/physiology
  • Nerve Net/cytology
  • Nerve Net/physiology*
  • Neural Crest/cytology
  • Neural Crest/physiology*
  • Parasympathetic Nervous System/cytology
  • Parasympathetic Nervous System/physiology*
  • Somatostatin/genetics
  • Somatostatin/metabolism
  • Synaptic Transmission/physiology*
  • Tubulin/genetics
  • Tubulin/metabolism
  • Zebrafish
PubMed
29916364 Full text @ Elife
Abstract
Pancreatic islets are innervated by autonomic and sensory nerves that influence their function. Analyzing the innervation process should provide insight into the nerve-endocrine interactions and their roles in development and disease. Here, using in vivo time-lapse imaging and genetic analyses in zebrafish, we determined the events leading to islet innervation. Comparable neural density in the absence of vasculature indicates that it is dispensable for early pancreatic innervation. Neural crest cells are in close contact with endocrine cells early in development. We find these cells give rise to neurons that extend axons towards the islet as they surprisingly migrate away. Specific ablation of these neurons partly prevents other neurons from migrating away from the islet resulting in diminished innervation. Thus, our studies establish the zebrafish as a model to interrogate mechanisms of organ innervation, and reveal a novel mode of innervation whereby neurons establish connections with their targets before migrating away.
Genes / Markers
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Mutations / Transgenics
Human Disease / Model
Sequence Targeting Reagents
Fish
Antibodies
Orthology
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Mapping