Crosstalk Communications Between Islets Cells and Insulin Target Tissue: The Hidden Face of Iceberg

Abstract

The regulation of insulin secretion is under control of a complex inter-organ/cells crosstalk involving various metabolites and/or physical connections. In this review, we try to illustrate with current knowledge how β-cells communicate with other cell types and organs in physiological and pathological contexts. Moreover, this review will provide a better understanding of the microenvironment and of the context in which β-cells exist and how this can influence their survival and function. Recent studies showed that β-cell insulin secretion is regulated also by a direct and indirect inter-organ/inter-cellular communication involving various factors, illustrating the idea of "the hidden face of the iceberg". Moreover, any disruption on the physiological communication between β-cells and other cells or organs can participate on diabetes onset. Therefore, for new anti-diabetic treatments' development, it is necessary to consider the entire network of cells and organs involved in the regulation of β-cellular function and no longer just β-cell or pancreatic islet alone. In this context, we discuss here the intra-islet communication, the β-cell/skeletal muscle, β-cell/adipose tissue and β-cell/liver cross talk.

Keywords: Beta cell (B-cell); Liver; adipose tissue; insulin secretion; islets; skeletal muscle.

Figure 1

The iceberg of β-cell’s communication network. The physiological β-cellular function is finely regulated by a dense and complex communication network including direct and indirect interactions with various cell types and organs. This communication takes place thanks to various factors secreted from many organs such as the liver, adipose tissue, skeletal muscle, intestine or even the brain which constitute a strong union to allow a physiological β-cell function. However, this description is not exhaustive, this network is more complex and should also involve other organs (Dotted black arrows). Any disturbance in this communication network can lead to dysfunction of β-cell function and to metabolic diseases such as diabetes onset. Therefore, for new anti-diabetic treatments’ development, it is necessary to consider the entire network of cells and organs involved in the regulation of β-cellular function and no longer just the tip of the iceberg.