Relevance of beta cell serotonin production during pregnancy.

During pregnancy beta cells undergo several changes to adapt to the higher insulin demands of the mother, which support the development and growth of the foetus. By analysing the expression of genes in beta cells during pregnancy we observed that only a subset of beta cells strongly increases the production of serotonin, a monoamine known to play a role in intestine and brain. This remarkable heterogeneity of function is explained by strong upregulation of the enzymes of serotonin biosynthesis in a minority of the beta cell population. Placental lactogen (a hormone produced during pregnancy) reproduces these effects in vitro. However, the functional role of serotonin produced in beta cells of pregnant mice is still under discussion. In this project we will examine (1) the molecular basis of cellular heterogeneity of serotonin production and (2) the functional implications, using both an in vitro and in vivo approach.

Keywords:Pregnancy, Serotonin, Beta cells, Diabetes

Disciplines:Laboratory medicine, Palliative care and end-of-life care, Regenerative medicine, Other basic sciences, Other health sciences, Nursing, Other paramedical sciences, Other translational sciences, Other medical and health sciences