Balance between intercellular coupling and input resistance as a necessary requirement for oscillatory electrical activity in pancreatic β-cells

Abstract

We studied the emergence of oscillatory electrical activity after addition of glucose to insulin secreting cells. In the physiological glucose range (7-20 mM), these cells show a typical square-wave bursting pattern when they are coupled in the islet. Islet of Langerhans consists of some thousands of beta cells, coupled through gap-junctions, When these cells are isolated they also become more excitable in presence of glucose, spiking continuously, but they fail to oscillate. We have hypothesized a role of cell coupling in the generation of oscillatory activity in this system, Now, we examine the phase of continuous activity that appears after a glucose challenge to check our hypothesis. Both experimental data and computer simulations of a small network of beta cells, further supports our hypothesis on a role of intercellular coupling in the emergence of oscillatory patterns.