Date of Award
2008
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science
Program
Physiology
Supervisor
Dr. David Hill
Second Advisor
Dr. Edith Arany
Third Advisor
Dr. Rennian Wang
Abstract
The fetal development of the islets of Langerhans is dependent on bidirectional signalling with the surrounding capillary bed, to develop into the appropriate cell type. The neonatal rat pancreas undergoes a developmental β cell turnover that involves the apoptosis of immature β cells and their replacement with adult β cells. To further elucidate this mechanism and the potential role of the vascular system, neonatal rats were injected with streptozotocin to exacerbate this normal loss of β cells. Immunohistochemical and quantitative RNA analysis was performed to observe the ontogeny of changes to microvasculature, endocrine tissue, and growth factors over the subsequent 40 days. Normal islet development involved remodelling of the islet vasculature around weaning which may involve nestin+ cells. Destruction of β cells resulted in a disruption of the islet microvasculature. Re-organization of both tissue compartments appears to be co-ordinated around weaning in normal islet development and following β cell loss.
Recommended Citation
Nicholson, John Michael Ross, "THE VASCULAR RESPONSE WITHIN THE ISLET DURING BETA CELL DEVELOPMENT AND REGENERATION" (2008). Digitized Theses. 4436.
https://ir.lib.uwo.ca/digitizedtheses/4436