How to Build a Pancreas

Chapter 3. Again, an extensive reference list related to each particular hormone is provided at the end of each section. This pattern of presentation is also used in Chapter 9, Gastrointestinal Hormones, and is very helpful to the reader who may be interested in only one or two of the hormones covered in these chapters. The other chapters in this book are: Thyroid and Parathyroid Hormone (Chapter 5); The Adrenal Glands (Chapter 6); Atrial Natriuretic Factor (Chapter 7); The Endocrine Pancreas (Chapter 8); Reproductive Hormones (Chapter 10); Endothelin (Chapter 11); and Erythropoietin (Chapter 12). The coverage of each hormone is consistent and thorough. The length of each chapter varies appropriately with the breadth of the topic. The chapters on the hypothalamus, gastrointestinal hormones, and particularly the pituitary (over 100 pages) are longer because they cover several hor-

mones. The length of most of the other chapters is typically 18–30 pages. The book contains an adequate number of illustrations that are relevant to the topics covered. There are schematic diagrams to illustrate major concepts, for example, to represent different signal transduction systems or steps in peptide hormone gene expression or biosynthetic pathways. Other illustrations include electron micrographs, for example, of the rat thyrotroph, and histological sections to illustrate cellular structure in different glands, such as the rat thyroid and parathyroid glands and the rat testis and ovary. In addition, there are figures that depict experimental results from endocrine researchers, for example, reproductive hormone levels in rats and monkeys, which further help to illustrate species differences in the endocrine system. The combination of clear writing style and illustrations

allows the reader to understand the concepts presented even if s/he is not working directly in the field of endocrinology. In conclusion, I found this book to be very well-written and well-organized. It is easy to read, and information about a particular hormone can be found quickly. It is a good overview of the endocrine system and would be of value to non-endocrinologists who are concerned about the effect of hormones on their animal models and experimental paradigms as well as to endocrinologists who want a source of information, including references, for a wide variety of hormones. Phyllis Callahan Department of Zoology Center for Neuroscience Miami University Oxford, OH 45056 PII: S1043-2760(98)00076-9

How to Build a Pancreas Pancreatic Growth and Regeneration Edited by Nora Sarvetnick. Basel, Karger, 1997, CHF113.0/DEM135.00/$98.00 (xiv + 250 pages) ISBN 3-8055-6618-2. This book is focused on the role of growth factors in the development and regeneration of the pancreatic islets and their importance in organogenesis and pathogenesis of the pancreas. Recent evidence suggests that the stages of pancreatic development are recapitulated during regeneration, and this is a recurring theme through several of the chapters. The long-term goals of this research area are to stimulate islet repair and inhibit the progression of diabetes. The book presents a comprehensive, up-to-date and well-referenced review of the work of several major contributors TEM Vol. 9, No. 7, 1998

to this field. It is likely to appeal to investigators interested in this aspect of diabetes, in development of the pancreas, and also those interested in pancreatic neoplasia. Since it focuses on a very specialized area, the readership is likely to be limited and this is reflected in the rather high price. The first chapter (by Clark Brelje and Robert Sorenson) is an excellent review of the role played by the growth hormone (GH)–prolactin (PRL)–placental lactogen (PL) family of hormones on islet b-cell proliferation. The authors nicely delineate the reasons for the existing confusion in the literature covering this area, which appears to arise largely from the use of heterologous hormones in experiments as well as species differences. PRL and PL undoubtedly account for the increase in b-cell mass that accompanies pregnancy and may also be involved in islet development. © 1998, Elsevier Science Ltd, 1043-2760/98/$19.00.

The second chapter (by Jens Nielsen and Nils Billestrup) also examines the role of the GH/PRL family. Here the focus is on the intracellular pathways by which they stimulate the proliferation and regeneration of b-cells. The authors also discuss the interactions between these growth factors and the newly discovered fat-cell hormone, leptin, as well as the pro-inflammatory cytokines which have been implicated in the development of diabetes. An ambitious third chapter (by Gabriel Rosselin and S. Emami) addresses the topic of growth and differentiation of islet cells in neonates. The authors begin by reviewing studies on the development of islets, both in intact animals and in cell culture. They go on to examine the regulation of islet development, comprehensively covering all of the possible cytokines and hormones involved. The interactions between islet cells and mesenchymal, 299

ductal, and acinar cells are discussed, with emphasis on the similarities between differentiation in development and in regeneration. The authors then turn their attention to the maturation of the cellular pathways of hormone synthesis and secretion. Finally, they address the topic of dysfunction of islet growth and differentiation. Overall, this chapter provides a wealth of information over a broad subject area. This is reflected in its length (over 50 pages) and extensive referencing (nearly 400 citations). Unfortunately, it was not as easy to read as the other contributions. Grammatical and typographical errors abound, which disrupt the flow and mar an otherwise well-organized and important contribution. These errors could easily have been eliminated by careful editing. The fourth chapter (by Mina Peshavaria and Roland Stein) is devoted to islet-cell homeodomain transcription factors, especially PDX-1. This concise and well-written contribution is an up-to-date review of the role of these transcription factors in islet development. In addition to providing clues to transcriptional regulation, these proteins also provide valuable markers for the cell lineage of developing islet cells. A possible dual role for interferon g (IFN g) in the autoimmune destruction of islets, as well as their regeneration following inflammation, is the topic of the fifth chapter (by Ellene Jones and Nora Sarvetnick). This brief and enlightening chapter is generally well-written. My only gripe here is the confusing use of the term b cells to describe B lymphocytes, which has also crept into the sixth chapter. One can speculate that this error arose from word-processing spell-checker that replaced B cell with b cells in an attempt to standardize the description of islet b-cells. The sixth chapter (by Steven Koevary) deals with the role of the transforming growth factors a and b (TGFa and TGFb) in the normal and diseased pancreas. This well-written and concise review traces the importance of these growth factor families in pancreatic development and neogenesis as well as their pathophysiological role in

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pancreatitis, cancer, diabetes, and islet graft rejection. Pancreatic regeneration following sub-total pancreatectomy is covered in chapter seven (by Susan Bonner-Weir, Mark Stubbs, Petra Reitz, Monica Taneja and Fannie Smith). Sub-total pancreatectomy results in islet regeneration which exceeds the regrowth of the exocrine parenchyma. The possible roles and time-line of TGFa, TGFb, insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I), pancreatic stone protein (reg gene product), and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in the regenerative process are discussed in detail. Chapter eight (by Vincenzo Cirulli and Alberto Hayek) discusses the developmental functions of cell adhesion molecules as they pertain to pancreatic islet morphogenesis. This chapter carefully reviews the members of the cadherin family, as well as the adhesion molecules of the immunoglobulin superfamily. The morphoregulatory roles of specific adhesion molecules on islet development are then concisely discussed. An interesting contribution on the implicated function of neurotrophic factors in islet development follows in chapter nine (by Raphael Scharfmann and Paul Czernichow). The similarities between endocrine and neuronal cells are discussed and there is even a nice table listing the common expression of enzymes, cytoskeletal and membrane proteins, ion channels, transcription factors, and peptides between b islet cells and neurons. The authors concentrate on similarities between b-cells and neurons, but do not address the fact that similarities exist between all neurons and endocrine cells. While some of the factors discussed may be relatively specific for b-cells others are general neuroendocrine markers. I was surprised that neuron-specific enolase was omitted from the list, since it has proven to be a valuable neuroendocrine marker. The authors go on to implicate neurotrophic factors, particularly nerve growth factor (NGF) in islet cell differentiation and regeneration. Chapter ten (by Aaron Vinik, Gary Pittenger, Ronit Rafaeloff, Lawrence Rosenberg and William Duguid) reviews the current knowledge of islet

neogenesis in a model of partial pancreatic duct obstruction in which the head of the hamster pancreas is wrapped in cellophane. This well-written chapter first provides a historical perspective on the different models of islet neogenesis leading into the development of the cellophane wrap model. Early studies revealed the presence in extracts of rat pancreas of a factor, ilotropin, which was able to reverse diabetes in hamsters. More recently, this group has cloned a gene associated with new islet development and named its product islet neogenesis-associated protein (INGAP). INGAP, a member of the pancreatitis associated protein (reg gene) family of proteins, is a constituent of the original impure ‘ilotropin’ extract. The role of insulin-like growth factors, hepatocyte growth factor, TGF, vascular endothelial growth factor, neurotrophins, and other growth factors in the wrap model are also discussed. Studies using pluripotent islet cell cultures that shed light on pancreatic endocrine development are the topic of chapter eleven (by Ole Madsen, Jan Jensen, Helle Petersen, Frank Andersen, Per Jensen, Mette Jörgensen, Lars-Inge Larsson and Palle Serup). This important chapter outlines the development of these valuable islet cell models and identifies the expression of transcription factors in the different islet cell types. The role of PDX-1 and Nkx 6.1 in islet cell gene expression is covered in detail. The final chapter (by T. Otonkoski, G.M. Beattie, V. Cirulli, M.I. Mally and A. Hayek) considers differentiation and proliferation of b-cells in vitro and after transplantation. The review also discusses the effects of nicotinamide and various growth factors on differentiation and insulin secretion from fetal islet cell clusters. Nicotinamide has remarkably potent differentiating effects for b-cells and enhances insulin production. HGF also appears to be important in this regard as are components of the extracellular matrix. Results from studies outlined in the chapter also reveal that transplantation of islet cell precursors is more likely to result in an optimal b-cell mass than implanting differentiated cells. TEM Vol. 9, No. 7, 1998

Overall, I was very impressed with this book. In particular, the citations indicate that the chapters were recently written and therefore represent an up-to-date view of the individual subjects covered. This gives me the impression that the production process was more rapid than is frequently encountered with books of this type. While the twelve chapters cover distinct topics, some degree of overlap

is inevitable and this does not detract from the overall quality of the book. On the down side, the extensive use of non-standard abbreviations does not help the readability. In several chapters, these abbreviations were not adequately defined. A useful addition would have been a complete list of abbreviations. In spite of this, however, the book makes interesting reading and would

be valuable to readers of Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism who work in the area of islet development and regeneration. The book is targeted at this audience. Thomas E. Adrian Department of Biomedical Sciences Creighton University School of Medicine Omaha, NE 68178, USA PII: S1043-2760(98)00075-7

Small Brain Neuropeptides Recent Advances in Arthropod Endocrinology Edited by Geoffrey M. Coast and Simon G. Webster. Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1998, $110.00 (xviii + 406 pages), ISBN 0-521-59113-9. Arthropods are the most diverse group of eukaryotic organisms. Estimates of the number of species in this phylum range from a low of slightly over a million to a high of several million. It should not be viewed as surprising, therefore, that these organisms touch many facets of our lives. Arthropods serve as vectors of human, livestock, and plant diseases; as important pollinators of many plant crop species; as producers of honey or as food sources themselves; and as essential components of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Given the economic and biological importance of these organisms, considerable effort has been expended over the last few decades in the identification of hormones and pheromones regulating aspects of arthropod growth, development, reproduction, homeostasis, and behavior. These studies have elicited not only basic insights into arthropod endocrinology but have also contributed to the economic development of new pest control agents or potential agents, such as pheromone baits, juvenile hormone analogues, and ecdysteroid agonists. TEM Vol. 9, No. 7, 1998

One area of arthropod endocrinology that has lagged somewhat behind in research progress has been that devoted to identifying arthropod neuropeptides. This is unfortunate given that the first strong evidence for the existence of arthropod hormones (if not the general concept of neurosecretion itself) came from the pioneering studies of Stefan Kopéc in the early part of this century. Working with the gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar, Kopéc demonstrated that the brain was an organ of internal secretion in the caterpillar stages and that the brain secreted a substance(s) necessary for pupation. This substance eventually came to be called brain hormone and, in more current terminology, prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH). The lack of progress, until recently, in identifying arthropod neuropeptides was in part a reflection of the small brains of these organisms, the fact that many of these neuropeptides are present in exceedingly small amounts (picomole levels), and the lack of sufficiently sensitive techniques. Advances in the last decade with respect to peptide purification and sequence analysis have led to an explosion of discoveries. Contrary to its more general title, the current text is devoted to a summary of some of the more significant findings in the areas of arthropod neuropeptides, particularly in crustaceans, insects, and ticks. In the last ten years, the area has gone from just © 1998, Elsevier Science Ltd, 1043-2760/98/$19.00.

a few arthropod neuropeptides identified to over 100 fully characterized molecules. Small brains, yes; simple nervous systems, no. The text is divided into four broad areas of neuropeptide research: Part I – Moulting, metamorphosis and reproduction; Part II – Control of intermediary metabolism, and ion and water balance; Part III – Myotropic and myoinhibitory arthropod neuropeptides: structures and functions; and Part IV – Peptidases, peptide and pseudopeptide mimetics: towards new strategies of insect pest control. The first chapter in Part I is devoted to structures, functions and occurrences of insect allatostatic peptides. These so-called ‘allatostatins’ are peptides, which presumably function in the regulation of the insect corpora allata, the glandular source of juvenile hormones (JH). As their name implies, theses allatostatins exert an inhibitory effect on JH production. A major portion of this chapter is focused on the dozen or so allatostatins that have been isolated from cockroaches, the cockroach allatostatin genes, and structure–activity studies of cockroach allatostatins. The remainder of this chapter is devoted to lepidopteran allatostatins and the distribution of these neuropeptides in other insects and invertebrates. The authors are careful to point out, however, that the occurrence of cockroach-like allatostatin peptides in other insects does 301