Publications by authors named "Ka Hei Chan"
Article Synopsis
- Hemocytes, macrophage-like cells in Drosophila, play a crucial role in the immune response and can be found either circulating or in stationary groups known as sessile hemocyte compartments (SHCs).
- The study identifies the transcription factor Abrupt and Ninjurin cell adhesion molecules as key regulators for the recruitment of hemocytes to SHCs, particularly during the developmental stage of pupariation.
- Manipulations affecting Ninjurin function reveal that it is essential for hemocyte targeting to SHCs; disrupting this function leads to premature dispersal of hemocytes, highlighting the importance of Ninjurin in mediating immune responses and managing hemocyte distribution during development.
The islets of Langerhans are endocrine tissue clusters that secrete hormones that regulate the body's glucose, carbohydrate, and fat metabolism, the most important of which is insulin, a hormone secreted by β-cells within the islets. In certain instances, a person's own immune system attacks and destroys them, leading to the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D), a life-long condition that needs daily insulin administration to maintain health and prolong survival. Islet transplantation is a surgical procedure that has demonstrated the ability to normalize blood sugar levels for up to a few years, but the need for chronic immunosuppression relegates it to a last resort that is often only used sparingly and in seriously ill patients.
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