Efficiency of Co-Expression of Transcription Factors Pdx1, Ngn3, NeuroD and Pax6 with Insulin: A Statistical Approach

Authors

  • Don F. du Toit Diabetes Discovery Platform, MRC, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa
  • Benjamin Longo-Mbenza Research Champion, School of Medicine, Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela drive, Mthatha, South Africa
  • Benedict J. Page Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Francie van zijl road, Tygerberg 7500, South Africa
  • Venant Tchokonte-Nana Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Francie van zijl road, Tygerberg 7500, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-6029.2013.02.03.8

Keywords:

Islets, insulin, pancreas, duct ligation, transplantation, protein expression

Abstract

Aim: The objective of this study was to investigate the time related profile and efficiency of co-expression of the homeodomain proteins Pdx1, NeuroD, Ngn3, Pax6 and caspase3 with insulin, and to establish the time periods post PDL optimum for islets transplantation.

Study Design/Methods: In this experimental study, immunofluorescent staining procedure was performed on deparaffinized pancreatic duct ligated (PDL) tissues of 78 Sprague–Dawley rats. Quantification of protein coexpression was made using a computerized morphometry. The efficiency of co-expression was arbitrary defined by the value of mean ratio (score without unit) of insulin expression divided by each expression index of the other proteins, occurring within the time interval of 12–24 h post PDL. Statistical tool was used to analyze the efficiency of co-expression of proteins; analysis of variances (one way ANOVA) was used to compare the means of co-expression indexes across the time periods pre- and post PDL. P-values less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant; no post hoc test was done.

Results: The curve of insulin expression showed a crossover with that of the co-expression at different time periods pre- and post PDL. The optimal or higher efficiency of co-expression was observed for insulin and Ngn3 co-expression, while a good or medium efficiency was noted for the co-expression of insulin with Pdx1, insulin with NeuroD and insulin with Pax6. Low or weak efficiency was observed for the co-expression of insulin with caspase3.

Conclusion: We therefore propose an early islets transplantation using 12–24 h post PDL harvested pancreatic tissues.

 

Author Biographies

Don F. du Toit, Diabetes Discovery Platform, MRC, Tygerberg, Cape Town, South Africa

MRC, Tygerberg

Benjamin Longo-Mbenza, Research Champion, School of Medicine, Walter Sisulu University, Nelson Mandela drive, Mthatha, South Africa

Research Champion, School of Medicine

Benedict J. Page, Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Francie van zijl road, Tygerberg 7500, South Africa

Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

Venant Tchokonte-Nana, Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Francie van zijl road, Tygerberg 7500, South Africa

Anatomy and Histology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

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2013-07-30

How to Cite

Toit, D. F. du, Longo-Mbenza, B., Page, B. J., & Tchokonte-Nana, V. (2013). Efficiency of Co-Expression of Transcription Factors Pdx1, Ngn3, NeuroD and Pax6 with Insulin: A Statistical Approach. International Journal of Statistics in Medical Research, 2(3), 229–238. https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-6029.2013.02.03.8

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