Beta pancreatic cells and antibodies
Pancreas - isOne of the most important organs of the human body. It has a twofold role in relation to its function: exo-and endocrine.
By exocrine function is meant the secretion of the digestive enzymes by the gland, which, entering the duodenum, participate in the splitting of the constituents of the food. As for the endocrine function, it is the production of a number of hormone cells that somehow influence the metabolism in the body. Below we will talk about one of the components of this work: the beta cells of the pancreas.
Structure and function
In pancreatic gland there are special formations: islets of Langerhans. They consist of several types of cells, each of which is responsible for the production of a specific hormone. For example, alpha secrete glucagon, beta-insulin, delta-somatostatin, PP cells are needed to form a pancreatic peptide, and epsilon is responsible for the release of the hunger hormone - the prelin. These islets concentrate mainly in the tail of the gland and make up about 2% of the total mass. And already in their structure the subject of the article takes up to 80%.
In addition, beta cells can be located outside these structures, scattered throughout the gland tissue. They can be found in the exocrine part, the ducts. They have a rounded shape, sometimes there are sprouts. The core is also round, large enough. In the cytoplasm there are many granules in which the secret is found. Their size is up to 300 nm. In water they do not dissolve, but in organic solvents, for example, alcohol possess this property.
Beta pancreatic cells monitor blood glucose levels by producing enough insulin for these purposes.
They either discard the ready-made hormone from the pellets, or activate its synthesis. All this happens quickly enough, and after a few minutes, glucose begins to be disposed of. The production of insulin beta cells is enhanced by a number of substances: amino acids( in particular leucine and arginine), sulfanylurea preparations, hormone-antagonist glucagon, a number of other hormones of the digestive system( for example, cholecystokinin).
Cell function is regulated by an autonomic nervous system. Parasympathetic part of it, having a stimulating effect on the entire digestive tract, a similar effect transmits and beta cells. Accordingly, the sympathetic component has the opposite effect.
Antibodies to the pancreas
In the body of a healthy person, "weapons" should not be formed against their own constituents. Therefore, when antibodies to the beta cells are found in the blood, this indicates a violation. This can take place not only with diabetes, but also with a predisposition to it.
Such antibodies, when bound to a target cell, cause its destruction. Accordingly, its function is lost, breaking the balance of hormones in the body, affecting glucose metabolism. It is this mechanism that underlies the development of type 1 diabetes, or insulin dependent, which is more often observed in young people.
Cell repair
Beta cells, like any others in our body, are able to regenerate. But this concerns only small damages, for example, minor disturbances in the wall. In the case of complete destruction of structures, the cell will no longer be able to restore itself in its original form and undergo apoptosis. That is why diseases are so dangerous, as a result of which their number decreases.
But science does not stand still. Modern medicine considers it possible to restore lost tissue. The methods are experimental and have not yet been widely used, but nevertheless are promising. For example, a technique has been developed for reprogramming alpha cells that produce glucagon in beta.
Substances that can stimulate stem cell differentiation along the necessary line are identified. And although all these experiments have not yet gone beyond the laboratories, their application will not be long in coming due to their acute need for today.
Transplant
The most realistic and feasible solution to problems with the pancreas is a beta cell transplant. Their source is the gland of a suitable donor. After the fence, they are carefully cleaned of all the attendant components in order to minimize rejection in the patient. After that, they are placed in the gland of the recipient, distributed along the tissue and begin to produce insulin. This method has already been successfully applied to people, so its wide spread is the business of the near future.
Thus, the pancreas represents an important multifunctional organ that is responsible not only for the digestive processes, but also for the metabolism in the whole organism, regulation of which is also realized due to such an important component of its islet apparatus as the beta cells.
