Effects of ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) over differentiation of exocrine acinar cells into insulin-secreting pancreatic beta cells

• Grant number: 12/19817-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: January 01, 2013
• End date: February 28, 2013
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - Physiology of Organs and Systems
• Principal Investigator: Antonio Carlos Boschiero
• Grantee: Luiz Fernando de Rezende
• Supervisor: Luc Bouwens
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB), Belgium
• Associated to the scholarship: 11/20567-0 - Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF)inhibits Glucose-Stimulated Insulin secretion from rats pancreatic islets: Mechanisms and Implications, BP.PD

Abstract

Insulin secretion by pancreatic islets beta-cells are continuously adjusted accordingly to fluctuations in circulating nutrient levels, especially glucose. It is also modulated by neurons, neurotransmitter and pharmacological agents. Given the importance of beta-cells mass and its secretory capacity to the glycemic control, it is essential to uncover mechanisms that might simultaneously inhibit both insulin secretion and beta-cells apoptosis. Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor (CNTF) is an anti-inflammatory cytokine from the IL6 family that signals through the GP130-LIFR-CNTFR, usually promoting cell survival and/or differentiation. In pancreatic islets beta-cells, CNTF inhibits insulin secretion and promotes survival, but the effects of CNTF over differentiation of beta-cells are still unclear. Thus, the aim of this project is to evaluate the effects of CNTF over differentia on of acinar exocrine cells into pancreatic beta-cells, and how this might contribute to the CNTF effects over pancreatic beta-cell. (AU)