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Molecular Physiology & Biophysics

Vascular-derived connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf) is critical for pregnancy-induced β cell hyperplasia in adult mice.

AUTHORS

Pasek RC , Dunn JC , Elsakr JM , Aramandla M , Matta AR , Gannon M , . Islets. 2017 11 2; 9(6). 150-158

ABSTRACT

During pregnancy, maternal β cells undergo compensatory changes including hypertrophy, hyperplasia, and increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Failure of these adaptations to occur can result in gestational diabetes mellitus. The secreted protein, Connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf), is critical for normal β cell development and promotes regeneration after partial β cell ablation. During embryogenesis, Ctgf is expressed in pancreatic ducts, vasculature, and β cells. In the adult pancreas, Ctgf is expressed only in the vasculature. Here, we report that pregnant mice with global Ctgf haploinsufficiency (Ctgf) have an impairment in maternal β cell proliferation, while β cell proliferation in virgin Ctgffemales is unaffected. Additionally, α-cell proliferation, β cell size, and GSIS were unaffected in Ctgfmice, suggesting that vascular-derived Ctgf has a specific role in islet compensation during pregnancy.

During pregnancy, maternal β cells undergo compensatory changes including hypertrophy, hyperplasia, and increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS). Failure of these adaptations to occur can result in gestational diabetes mellitus. The secreted protein, Connective tissue growth factor (Ctgf), is critical for normal β cell development and promotes regeneration after partial β cell ablation. During embryogenesis, Ctgf is expressed in pancreatic ducts, vasculature, and β cells. In the adult pancreas, Ctgf is expressed only in the vasculature. Here, we report that pregnant mice with global Ctgf haploinsufficiency (Ctgf) have an impairment in maternal β cell proliferation, while β cell proliferation in virgin Ctgffemales is unaffected. Additionally, α-cell proliferation, β cell size, and GSIS were unaffected in Ctgfmice, suggesting that vascular-derived Ctgf has a specific role in islet compensation during pregnancy.

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