Islet regeneration in IFNgamma transgenic mice

The adult pancreas is a developmentally stable organ with limited mitotic activity. This minimal mitotic activity proves critical in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) since the pathogenesis is characterized by a selective and permanent destruction of islet beta cells. The IFNgamma transgenic mouse model of islet regeneration elucidates the differentiation pathway involved in the regeneration of functional beta cells from ductal precursors and reveals the functional plasticity of the adult pancreas.