The Islets of Langerhans

About this book

This book is a unique and thoughtful blend of critical background information and advances made in a multitude of areas of contemporary islet research. It is an essential reference book, the first of its kind in many years, for professionals as well as for the beginners interested in the study of islet physiology and diabetes. The book is unique in its breadth: it deals with anatomy, histology, ultra-structure, evolution and comparative anatomy, imaging, developmental biology, programming, apoptosis, mitochondrial function, metabolism, cellular signaling, electrophysiology, oscillation of hormone secretion, islets of model animals, immunology, proteomics, regenerative medicine, clinical advances, islet transplantation, and finally islet tumors. Individual chapters contributed by over a hundred experts and enthusiasts, not only provide a balanced view of the recent advances made in the respective fields, but also provide directions and thoughts for future research. Thanks to vivid and colorful illustrations, tables and sketches, the book as a whole, and the individual chapters make reading a pleasant experience. It is a valuable compilation that one would love to possess personally and buy as a present to a colleague.

Written for: Students and beginners interested in research in the field of islets and diabetes, supervisors, course organisers, administrators, researchers active in research in the field of islets and diabetes, pharmaceutical industries engaged in diabetes research, university libraries, departments of endocrinology and diabetes in hospitals, endocrinologists and diabetologists

Keywords:

Islet transplantation
beta cells
diabetes
insulin
islets

Table of contents

CHAPTER 1 : Microscopic anatomy of the human islet of Langerhans - Peter In't Veld and Miriam Marichal
CHAPTER 2 : The comparative anatomy of islets - Scott Heller
CHAPTER 3: Approaches for imaging of islets: recent advances and future prospects - Ulf Ahlgren and Martin Gotthardt
CHAPTER 4: Islet-cell Development - Anabel Rojas, Adrian Khoo, Juan R. Tejedo, Francisco J. Bedoya, Bernat Soria and Franz Martín
CHAPTER 5: High fat programming of b-cell failure - Marlon. E. Cerf
CHAPTER 6: Nutrient regulation of insulin secretion and b-cell functional integrity - Philip Newsholme, Celine Gaudel, and Neville H McClenaghan
CHAPTER 7: Electrophysiology of islet cells - Gisela Drews, Peter Krippeit-Drews and Martina Düfer
CHAPTER 8: ATP sensitive potassium channels in health and disease - Rebecca Clark and Peter Proks
CHAPTER 9: Role of mitochondria in b-cell function and dysfunction - Pierre Maechler, Ning Li, Marina Casimir, Laurène Vetterli, Francesca Frigerio, Thierry Brun
CHAPTER 10: Basement membrane in pancreatic islet function - Martin Kragl and Eckhard Lammert
CHAPTER 11: Calcium signaling in the islets - Md. Shahidul Islam
CHAPTER 12: Electrical bursting, calcium oscillations, and synchronization of pancreatic islets - Richard Bertram, Arthur Sherman, and Leslie S. Satin
CHAPTER 13: Cyclic AMP signaling in pancreatic islets - Brian Furman, Wee Kiat Ong, and Nigel Pyne
CHAPTER 14: Exocytosis in islet b-cells - Haruo Kasai, Hiroyasu Hatakeyama, Mitsuyo Ohno and Noriko Takahashi
CHAPTER 15: The novel roles of glucagon-like peptide-1, angiotensin II, and vitamin D in islet function - Po Sing Leung
CHAPTER 16: Proteomics and islets research - Meftun Ahmed
CHAPTER 17: Wnt signaling in pancreatic islets - Zhengyu Liu and Joel F. Habener
CHAPTER 18: Molecular pathways underlying the pathogenesis of pancreatic a-cell dysfunction - Dan Kawamori, Hannah J. Welters, and Rohit N. Kulkarni
CHAPTER 19: Mechanisms of pancreatic b-cell apoptosis in diabetes and its therapies - James D. Johnson, Dan S. Luciani
CHAPTER 20: b-cell function in obese-hyperglycaemic mice [ob/ob mice] - Per Lindström
CHAPTER 21: Islet structure and function in the GK rat - B. Portha, G. Lacraz, A. Chavey, F. Figeac, M. Fradet, C. Tourrel-Cuzin, F. Homo-Delarche, M-H. Giroix, D. Bailbé, MN. Gangnerau, J. Movassat
CHAPTER 22: The b-cell in human type 2 diabetes - Piero Marchetti, Roberto Lupi, Silvia Del Guerra, Marco Bugliani, Lorella Marselli and Ugo Boggi
CHAPTER 23: Clinical approaches to preserve b-cell function in diabetes - Bernardo L. Wajchenberg
CHAPTER 24: Immunology of b-cell destruction - Daria La Torre, and Åke Lenmark
CHAPTER 25: Toll-like receptors and type 1 diabetes - Danny Zipris
CHAPTER 26: Prevention of b-cell destruction in autoimmune diabetes: current approaches and future prospects - Saikiran K Sedimbi and Carani B Sanjeevi
CHAPTER 27: In vivo regeneration of insulin-producing b-cell - Hee-Sook Jun
CHAPTER 28: Customized cell-based treatment options to combat autoimmunity and restore b-cell function in Type I diabetes mellitus: current protocols and future perspectives - Fred Fändrich and Hendrik Ungefroren
CHAPTER 29: The programmable cell of monocytic origin (PCMO): A potential adult stem/progenitor cell source for the generation of islet cells - Hendrik Ungefroren and Fred Fändrich
CHAPTER 30: Islet isolation for clinical transplantation - Tatsuya Kin
CHAPTER 31: Human islet autotransplantation: the trail thus far and the highway ahead - Martin Hermann, Raimund Margreiter and Paul Hengster
CHAPTER 32: Modulation of early inflammatory reactions to promote engraftment and function of transplanted pancreatic islets in autoimmune diabetes - Lorenzo Piemonti, Luca G. Guidotti, Manuela Battaglia
CHAPTER 33: Successes and disappointments with clinical islet transplantation - Paolo Cravedi, Piero Ruggenenti and Giuseppe Remuzzi
CHAPTER 34: Islet tumors - Sara Ekeblad

Reviews

"It looks very comprehensive and covers all current areas of interest and includes chapters written by world renowned contributors - very nice!" (Matthias von Herrath, MD, Professor and Director, Center for Type 1 Diabetes Research, La Jolla Institute for Allergy and Immunology, La Jolla CA, USA)

"This book will be welcomed by islet researchers and clinicians interested in the latest developments and theories from which new therapeutics for diabetes can emerge". (Martha Pavlakis, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Medical Director, Kidney and Pancreas Transplantation, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA)

"The field of islet biology is assuming increasing importance with the recognition that beta-cell dysfunction is a critical feature of type II diabetes. Improving b-cell function and/or b-cell mass may be the best approach to treating diabetes. Thus, the publication of a book covering so many aspects of this field is timely". (Fred Levine, M.D., Ph.D., Professor, Burnham Institute for Medical Research, Director, Sanford Children's Health Research Center, La Jolla, CA, USA)

"The growing prevalence of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes make islet cell biology a critical concern for a wide range of scientists and health professionals. From anatomy and developmental biology, through islet physiology and biochemistry, to issues of immunology and transplantation, this book is a terrific resource". (Jonathan M.W.Slack, Ph.D., F.Med.Sci., Director, Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota, Medical School, Minneapolis, MN, USA)

"This book allows you to enjoy an adventurous and instructive guided tour in the archipelago of the islets of Langerhans. A team of expert and enthusiastic explorers will not only conduct the voyager through almost all niches of this complex and fascinating environment, but also provide him with clues and keys for future exploration of still hidden sites". (Prof. Pellegrino Masiello, Dept. of Experimental Pathology, University of Pisa, Italy)

"The pancreatic islet is a complex mini-organ whose dysfunction is critical in all forms of diabetes. This book provides a comprehensive review of the molecular and cellular processes in islet development, gene expression, and physiology and reviews how a better understanding of the pancreatic islet will advance efforts to develop new therapeutic approaches for diabetes. This book should be quite useful for anyone interested in the pancreatic islet or diabetes". (Alvin C. Powers, M.D., Joe C. Davis Chair in Biomedical Science, Professor of Medicine, Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Director, Vanderbilt Diabetes Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN , USA)

"A very timely book on the Islet of Langerhans that coincides with the realization that pancreatic ß-cell failure is key to all forms of diabetes mellitus and research in the field is exploding. It contains very thoughtful chapters, each by renown experts in their field, and tackles the complexity of this micro-organ in health and disease very comprehensively and thoughtfully. It will likely become a Reference for years to come for basic researchers, clinicians and students interested is diabetes research" (Marc Prentki, PhD, Professor of Nutrition and Biochemistry, Canada Research Chair in Diabetes and Metabolism, MDRC Director, Montreal, QC, Canada)