Geng Ajun, Yuan Shubo, Yu Qing Cissy, Zeng Yi Arial
Key Laboratory of Systems Health Science of Zhejiang Province, School of Life Science, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, China.
New Cornerstone Science Laboratory, Key Laboratory of Multi-Cell Systems, Shanghai Institute of Biochemistry and Cell Biology, Center for Excellence in Molecular Cell Science, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shanghai, China.
Front Cell Dev Biol. 2025 Apr 22;13:1558137. doi: 10.3389/fcell.2025.1558137. eCollection 2025.
Endothelial cells (ECs) play pivotal roles in the development and maintenance of tissue homeostasis. During development, vasculature actively involves in organ morphogenesis and functional maturation, through the secretion of angiocrine factors and extracellular matrix components. Islets of Langerhans, essential functional units of glucose homeostasis, are embedded in a dense endothelial capillary network. Islet vasculature not only supplies nutrients and oxygen to endocrine cells but also facilitate the rapid delivery of pancreatic hormones to target tissues, thereby ensuring precise glucose regulation. Diabetes mellitus is a major disease burden and is caused by islet dysfunction or depletion, often accompanied by vessel loss and dysregulation. Therefore, elucidating the regulatory mechanisms of ECs within islets hold profound implications for diabetes therapy. This review provides an overview of recent research advancements on the functional roles of ECs in islet biology, transplantation, and islet organoid culture.
内皮细胞（ECs）在组织稳态的发展和维持中发挥着关键作用。在发育过程中，脉管系统通过分泌血管分泌因子和细胞外基质成分，积极参与器官形态发生和功能成熟。胰岛是葡萄糖稳态的重要功能单位，嵌入密集的内皮毛细血管网络中。胰岛脉管系统不仅为内分泌细胞提供营养和氧气，还促进胰腺激素快速输送到靶组织，从而确保精确的血糖调节。糖尿病是一种主要的疾病负担，由胰岛功能障碍或耗竭引起，常伴有血管丧失和调节异常。因此，阐明胰岛内ECs的调节机制对糖尿病治疗具有深远意义。本综述概述了ECs在胰岛生物学、移植和胰岛类器官培养中的功能作用的最新研究进展。
