RESUMO
Objective To determine the molecular pathway of reconstituted basement membrane extract(BME)embedment in the context of promoting islet cell survival.Methods Mouse islet cells were isolated and embedded in BME for in vitro culture.Caspase-3,integrin-α1 and 5,PDX-1,Akt,FAK and phospho Erk were detected using Western blot.Results Islet cells embedded with BME were partially protected from apoptosis indicated by a lower caspase-3 level and an increased phosphoAkt activity compared with untreated control.In addition,an increase of α3-integrin,FAK protein level and FAK activity were observed as well.Furthermore,the expression of PDX-1 and phosphoErk at the 48 h mark were preserved,suggesting the positive effect of BME to islet activity.Conclusion These results indicate that the embedment of BME construction can up-regulate α3 integrin and its signal transduction,which may improve viability and function of islet cells.