Nerve and fibroblast growth factors as modulators of pancreatic beta cell plasticity and insulin secretion

Trophic factors such as nerve and fibroblast growth factors are important m odulators of beta cell physiology. These two factors induce the extension o f neurite-like processes in primary cultures of adult rat beta cells. Moreo ver, both NGF and FGF enhance glucose-induced insulin secretion. Since beta cells synthesize NGF and pancreatic islet cells produce FGFs, it is possib le that autocrine/paracrine interactions may be major regulators of insulin secretion, and impairment of these interactions could lead to pathological states such as diabetes mellitus.