Dynamic development of the pancreas from birth to adulthood

  • Susan Bonner-Weir Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
  • Cristina Aguayo-Mazzucato Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
  • Gordon C. Weir Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
Keywords: Beta cells, neogenesis, postnatal growth

Abstract

After birth the endocrine pancreas continues its development, a complex process that involves both the maturation of islet cells and a marked expansion of their numbers. New beta cells are formed both by duplication of pre-existing cells and by new differentiation (neogenesis) across the first postnatal weeks, with the result of beta cells of different stages of maturation even after weaning. Improving our understanding of this period of beta cell expansion could provide valuable therapeutic insights.

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Published
2016-03-21
How to Cite
Bonner-Weir S., Aguayo-Mazzucato C., & Weir G. C. (2016). Dynamic development of the pancreas from birth to adulthood. Upsala Journal of Medical Sciences, 121(2), 155–158. https://doi.org/10.3109/03009734.2016.1154906