The islet of Langerhans is a master regulator of glucose homeostasis

Abstract

Blood glucose homeostasis is tightly regulated by the endocrine pancreas, the islets of Langerhans, under normal conditions. This is made possible by a well-concerted secretion and action of the pancreatic hormones insulin, glucagon and somatostatin from β-cells, α-cells and δ-cells, respectively. These cells are regulated very precisely by nutrients as well as by autocrine, endocrine, paracrine and nervous signals, all being integrated at the cell level. However, since the various hormone secreting cells are part of and responsible for the formation of the architecture of the islet of Langerhans, this micro-organ is the master integrator of endocrine pancreas signaling. If signaling, at any level, is disturbed hormone release will be impaired and as a consequence diabetes develops.