Nerve and fibroblast growth factors as modulators of pancreatic beta cell plasticity and insulin secretion.

Trophic factors such as nerve and fibroblast growth factors are important modulators of beta cell physiology. These two factors induce the extension of neurite-like processes in primary cultures of adult rat beta cells. Moreover, both NGF and FGF enhance glucose-induced insulin secretion. Since beta cells synthesize NGF and pancreatic islet cells produce FGFs, it is possible that autocrine/paracrine interactions may be major regulators of insulin secretion, and impairment of these interactions could lead to pathological states such as diabetes mellitus.