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bioRxiv · 10.1101/469320

Systems Biology Theory Clarification of a Controversy in Pancreatic Beta Cell Regeneration

Cai, H.·Cheng, R.·Yuan, R.·Zhu, X.·Ao, P.
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Abstract

Whether new pancreatic beta-cells arise via pre-existing beta-cells or from differentiation of precursor cells - a question of fundamental importance for diabetic therapy - has long been debated. Recent experiments suggest that multipotent precursors from adult mouse pancreas, that give rise to beta-cells, do exist. However, such a finding is at odds with prior evidence that beta-cell expansions occurs exclusively through self-replication. Here we show that these two observations can be partially compatible. We use a systems biology approach to analyze the dynamics of the endogenous molecular-cellular network in the pancreas. Our results show that self-replicating beta-cells can themselves be multipotent precursors. In addition, our model predicts heterogeneity in beta-cell regeneration and suggests various differentiation paths of precursors. This work therefore provides a means of reconciling an apparent contradiction in the field, but also sheds light on possible paths of beta-cell regeneration from a systems biology perspective.

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Cai, H., Cheng, R., Yuan, R., Zhu, X., Ao, P.. 2018-11-18. Systems Biology Theory Clarification of a Controversy in Pancreatic Beta Cell Regeneration. https://doi.org/10.1101/469320

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