Wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 5a is a key inhibitor of islet stellate cells activation.

Aims/introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by islet β-cell dysfunction, which might result from the activation of islet stellate cells (ISCs). Our recent study showed that a specific population of ISCs is prone to be activated in type 2 diabetes mellitus accompanied by reduced secretion of insulin. The wingless-type MMTV integration site family member 5a (Wnt5a)/frizzled-5 signaling pathway might play an important role in this process.