ACIDIC FIBROBLAST GROWTH FACTOR-LIKE IMMUNOREACTIVITY IN THE RAT PANCREAS

Acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF)-like immunoreactivity was found in the rat pancreas. The anti-aFGF serum was raised against aFGF-like peptide which was isolated from bovine heart. Anti-aFGF serum labeled the cytoplasm of islet cells. Blood vessel walls were also immunoreactive. Neither exocrine cells nor pancreatic duct were staind. Serial sections of the rat pancreas were also immunostained with anti-insulin serum, anti-glucagon serum(OAL-123), anti-somatostatin serum, and anti-pancreatic polypeptide (PP) serum. aFGF-like immunoreactivity in the rat pancreas islet was observed at the B-, D-, A-, and PP-cells of the islet. The presence of aFGF in islet cells may possibly be related to the viability of islet cells and/or the release of pancreatic hormones.