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 immunoreac tive. Neither exocrine cells nor pancreatic duct were staind. Serial s ections 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 hormone s.