Separation of Pancreatic Islet Cells according to Functional Characteristics

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the methods for the separation of pancreatic islet cells according to functional characteristics. The physical properties of cells, such as their size and density, have served as a basis for their isolation. The ability to isolate cells according to the functional characteristics would permit a more precise cellular analysis of the tissue function, and it could also provide the appropriate in vitro models for investigating the physiopathological basis of certain diseases. In the study of diabetes mellitus, it is not clear whether and how the various pancreatic islet cells cooperate in the generation of the in vivo insulin response. A separation of the various islet cell types and their further distribution into the functionally homogeneous subpopulations may provide an experimental approach to the questions. The autofluorescence-activated cell sorting permits the isolation of islet cells with similar size and density, but with a different metabolic responsiveness to their physiological regulator glucose. The chapter reviews the work on islet cells and addresses investigations involved in diabetes research. It also intends for cell biologists in search of ways to isolate cells according to functional criteria.