Pancreatic β cells: Responding to the matrix Kenneth S. Zaret  Cell Metabolism  Volume 3, Issue 3, Pages 148-150 (March 2006) DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2006.02.006 Copyright © 2006 Elsevier Inc. Terms and Conditions

Figure 1 Pancreatic islet microvasculature The figure depicts an idealized section of a pancreatic islet, where the insulin-producing β cells surround a capillary endothelial cell. The islet capillaries produce extracellular matrix proteins that constitute a “basement membrane,” whereas the β cells do not. The β cells express integrin-type receptors for the basement membrane matrix proteins. Such receptors containing the β1 subunit help the β cells sense the matrix and contribute, in as yet undetermined ways, to the maintenance of high levels of insulin production. By such means, capillary endothelial cells signal to the β cells. Cell Metabolism 2006 3, 148-150DOI: (10.1016/j.cmet.2006.02.006) Copyright © 2006 Elsevier Inc. Terms and Conditions