Multilevel synchronization of human β-cells networks

Frontiers in Network Physiology

Network Physiology

Nicole Luchetti¹  Alessandro Loppini¹  Simonetta Filippi² 

[1] Center for Life Nano and Neuro-Science, Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia, Rome, Italy;Engineering Department, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy;Engineering Department, Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, Rome, Italy;National Institute of Optics, National Research Council, Florence, Italy;International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics Network, Pescara, Italy;

关键词: functional networks;    multiplex;    metabolic coupling;    calcium wave;    bursting;    slow oscillations;    islets;    hubs;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fnetp.2023.1264395

 received in 2023-07-20, accepted in 2023-09-08,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

β-cells within the endocrine pancreas are fundamental for glucose, lipid and protein homeostasis. Gap junctions between cells constitute the primary coupling mechanism through which cells synchronize their electrical and metabolic activities. This evidence is still only partially investigated through models and numerical simulations. In this contribution, we explore the effect of combined electrical and metabolic coupling in β-cell clusters using a detailed biophysical model. We add heterogeneity and stochasticity to realistically reproduce β-cell dynamics and study networks mimicking arrangements of β-cells within human pancreatic islets. Model simulations are performed over different couplings and heterogeneities, analyzing emerging synchronization at the membrane potential, calcium, and metabolites levels. To describe network synchronization, we use the formalism of multiplex networks and investigate functional network properties and multiplex synchronization motifs over the structural, electrical, and metabolic layers. Our results show that metabolic coupling can support slow wave propagation in human islets, that combined electrical and metabolic synchronization is realized in small aggregates, and that metabolic long-range correlation is more pronounced with respect to the electrical one.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
Copyright © 2023 Luchetti, Filippi and Loppini.