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Research Article Free access | 10.1172/JCI108154

A morphological basis for intercellular communication between alpha- and beta-cells in the endocrine pancreas.

L Orci, F Malaisse-Lagae, M Ravazzola, D Rouiller, A E Renold, A Perrelet, and R Unger

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Published October 1, 1975 - More info

Published in Volume 56, Issue 4 on October 1, 1975
J Clin Invest. 1975;56(4):1066–1070. https://doi.org/10.1172/JCI108154.
© 1975 The American Society for Clinical Investigation
Published October 1, 1975 - Version history
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Abstract

By degranulating beta-cells in the islets of Langerhans of the rat with sulfonylurea, it has been possible to distinguish unambiguously alpha-cells from beta-cells in freeze-fracture replicas. In such preparations, we found morphologically typical tight and gap junctions occurring between alpha- and beta-cells. The presence of gap junctions offers indirect evidence that these cells are coupled with one another; coupling may influence the secretory behavior of alpha- and beta-cells maintaining glucose homeostasis within tightly constricted limits.

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