Reg protein: a potential beta-cell-specific growth factor?

Beta-cell regeneration in adult pancreas is usually considered to be limited. However, various animal models suggest that this tissue is still capable of regeneration under certain conditions. Reg protein could be responsible for this replicative process. The reg gene codes for a 166 amino-acid protein usually synthesized and secreted by pancreatic acinar cells but expressed in islet beta cells during experimental regenerative processes in animals (90% pancreatectomy + nicotinamide, or insulinoma tumor removal in rats, or the "wrapping pancreas model" in the hamster). In addition, recombinant rat reg protein can stimulate beta-cell replication in vivo and in vitro. In animal models of Type 1 diabetes mellitus, reg gene overexpression occurs during active phases of diabetogenesis and could be a defence mechanism. During human pancreatic development, reg gene is expressed at an early stage but is not associated with the expression of other pancreatic genes. Conversely, gene expression for reg and insulin are correlated in adult pancreas. Accordingly, reg protein could be a beta-cell-specific growth factor implicated in the maintenance of beta-cell mass, especially in adult pancreas.