Optogenetics in pancreatic islets: Actuators and effects

Christina G Gangemi, Harald Janovjak

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

The islets of Langerhans reside within the endocrine pancreas as highly vascularized microorgans that are responsible for the secretion of key hormones, such as insulin and glucagon. Islet function relies on a range of dynamic molecular processes that include Ca2+ waves, hormone pulses, and complex interactions between islet cell types. Dysfunction of these processes results in poor maintenance of blood glucose homeostasis and is a hallmark of diabetes. Recently, the development of optogenetic methods that rely on light-sensitive molecular actuators has allowed perturbation of islet function with near physiological spatiotemporal acuity. These actuators harness natural photoreceptor proteins and their engineered variants to manipulate mouse and human cells that are not normally light-responsive. Until recently, optogenetics in islet biology has primarily focused on controlling hormone production and secretion; however, studies on further aspects of islet function, including paracrine regulation between islet cell types and dynamics within intracellular signaling pathways, are emerging. Here, we discuss the applicability of optogenetics to islets cells and comprehensively review seminal as well as recent work on optogenetic actuators and their effects in islet function and diabetes mellitus.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1566-1582
Number of pages17
JournalDiabetes
Volume73
Issue number10
Early online date8 Jul 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2024

Keywords

  • Pancreas
  • Islets of Langerhans
  • Blood glucose
  • Optogenetics
  • Diabetes mellitus

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