From architecture to function: mechanisms shaping pancreatic islet morphogenesis.

Journal article

Mireia Molina van den Bosch, Tobias Greisle, Christos Karampelias, H. Lickert
Trends in endocrinology and metabolism, 2026

Semantic Scholar DOI PubMed

Cite

APA Click to copy
van den Bosch, M. M., Greisle, T., Karampelias, C., & Lickert, H. (2026). From architecture to function: mechanisms shaping pancreatic islet morphogenesis. Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism.

Chicago/Turabian Click to copy
Bosch, Mireia Molina van den, Tobias Greisle, Christos Karampelias, and H. Lickert. “From Architecture to Function: Mechanisms Shaping Pancreatic Islet Morphogenesis.” Trends in endocrinology and metabolism (2026).

MLA Click to copy
van den Bosch, Mireia Molina, et al. “From Architecture to Function: Mechanisms Shaping Pancreatic Islet Morphogenesis.” Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism, 2026.

BibTeX Click to copy

@article{mireia2026a,
  title = {From architecture to function: mechanisms shaping pancreatic islet morphogenesis.},
  year = {2026},
  journal = {Trends in endocrinology and metabolism},
  author = {van den Bosch, Mireia Molina and Greisle, Tobias and Karampelias, Christos and Lickert, H.}
}

Abstract

Islets of Langerhans are highly structured mini-organs containing hormone-producing cells of the pancreas that regulate glucose metabolism. Studies of endocrine cell differentiation and clustering into immature proto-islets, as well as remodeling into mature islets, are beginning to clarify the critical timepoints and mechanisms governing islet formation across species. In this review, we compare the mechanistic features of the current models of islet morphogenesis, linking them to established intrinsic and extrinsic signals. These signals coordinate endocrine cell differentiation, migration, and clustering to form a distinct 3D islet architecture, while their disruption leads to islet dysfunction. Understanding 3D islet morphogenesis will enable the generation of mature stem cell-derived islets for regenerative therapies and help identify druggable pathways to restore islet function in diabetes.