Nerve growth factor promotes development of glucose-induced insulin secretion in rat neonate pancreatic beta cells by modulating calcium channels.

Neonatal beta cells are functionally immature as they secrete less insulin than adults and lack of glucose response. The mechanisms that participate in the functional maturation of these cells are not known. Adult rat beta cells synthesize and secrete nerve growth factor (NGF) and express NGF receptors. NGF increases glucose-induced insulin secretion by modulating electrical activity in adult beta cells. In this work, we explored if NGF is involved in the maturation of glucose-induced insulin secretion coupling in rat neonate beta-cells.