Pancreatic pericytes originate from the embryonic pancreatic mesenchyme.

The embryonic origin of pericytes is heterogeneous, both between and within organs. While pericytes of coelomic organs were proposed to differentiate from the mesothelium, a single-layer squamous epithelium, the embryonic origin of pancreatic pericytes has yet to be reported. Here, we show that adult pancreatic pericytes originate from the embryonic pancreatic mesenchyme.

Pancreas organogenesis: Approaches to elucidate the role of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions.

Pancreas organogenesis depends on proper interactions of endoderm-derived epithelial cells, which will form the exocrine and endocrine cells of the adult organ, with their surrounding mesenchymal layer. Research on the role of pancreatic mesenchyme, pioneered by Golosow and Grobstein in the 1960's, revealed these cells regulate multiple events during pancreas development. Still, much is unknown regards the molecular basis of epithelial-mesenchymal interactions in this process.

Pancreatic Pericytes Support β-Cell Function in a Tcf7l2-Dependent Manner.

Polymorphism in , a component of the canonical Wnt signaling pathway, has a strong association with β-cell dysfunction and type 2 diabetes through a mechanism that has yet to be defined. β-Cells rely on cells in their microenvironment, including pericytes, for their proper function. Here, we show that Tcf7l2 activity in pancreatic pericytes is required for β-cell function.