The hepatokine fetuin-A disrupts functional maturation of pancreatic beta cells

Conclusions/interpretationOur results suggest that the perinatal decline of fetuin-A relieves TGFBR signalling in islets, a process that facilitates functional maturation of neonatal beta cells. Functional maturity remains revocable in later life, and the occurrence of a metabolically unhealthy milieu, such as liver steatosis and elevated plasma fetuin-A, can impair both function and adaptive proliferation of beta cells.Data availabilityThe RNAseq datasets and computer code produced in this study are available in the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO): GSE144950;https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE144950Graphical abstract
Source: Diabetologia - Category: Endocrinology Source Type: research