TGF-β signalling prevents pancreatic beta cell death after proliferation

ObjectivesMaintenance of functional beta cell mass is critical for prevention of diabetes. The transforminggrowth factor-beta (TGF-) receptor signalling pathway plays an essential role in pancreatic development. However, its involvement in control of post-natal beta cell growth has only been recently reported. Materials and methodsHere, we studied the role of TGF- receptor signalling in beta cell proliferation after 50% partial pancreatectomy (PPx), using beta cell-specific TGF- receptor II (TBR2)-mutated mice. ResultsConsistent with previous reports, we found that inhibition of TGF- receptor signalling in beta cells resulted in slightly higher beta cell mass 1week after PPx, due to greater beta cell proliferation. However, beta cell mass in these beta cell-specific TBR2-mutated mice significantly decreased by 12weeks after PPx, resulting from increase in beta cell apoptosis. ConclusionsOur data thus suggest that TGF- receptor signalling may be required for prevention of beta cell death after proliferation, and highlight this pathway as an essential regulator during post-natal beta cell homoeostasis.