Immunohistochemical detection of vimentin in pancreatic islet β- and α-cells of macrosomic infants of diabetic and nondiabetic mothers.

Background: Expression of the intermediate filament protein vimentin has been recently observed in the pancreatic islet β- and α-cells of humans with type 2 diabetes mellitus. It was suggested that the presence of vimentin in endocrine cells may indicate islet tissue renewal, or potentially represent the dedifferentiation of endocrine cells, which could contribute to the onset of type 2 diabetes or islet cell dysfunction.

Aim: To analyze the expression of vimentin in pancreatic β- and α-cells of macrosomic infants of diabetic and nondiabetic mothers.