The fractal spatial distribution of pancreatic islets in three dimensions: a self-avoiding growth model. 2013

Junghyo Jo, and Andreas Hörnblad, and German Kilimnik, and Manami Hara, and Ulf Ahlgren, and Vipul Periwal
Laboratory of Biological Modeling, National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.

The islets of Langerhans, responsible for controlling blood glucose levels, are dispersed within the pancreas. A universal power law governing the fractal spatial distribution of islets in two-dimensional pancreatic sections has been reported. However, the fractal geometry in the actual three-dimensional pancreas volume, and the developmental process that gives rise to such a self-similar structure, has not been investigated. Here, we examined the three-dimensional spatial distribution of islets in intact mouse pancreata using optical projection tomography and found a power law with a fractal dimension of 2.1. Furthermore, based on two-dimensional pancreatic sections of human autopsies, we found that the distribution of human islets also follows a universal power law with a fractal dimension of 1.5 in adult pancreata, which agrees with the value previously reported in smaller mammalian pancreas sections. Finally, we developed a self-avoiding growth model for the development of the islet distribution and found that the fractal nature of the spatial islet distribution may be associated with the self-avoidance in the branching process of vascularization in the pancreas.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D007515 Islets of Langerhans Irregular microscopic structures consisting of cords of endocrine cells that are scattered throughout the PANCREAS among the exocrine acini. Each islet is surrounded by connective tissue fibers and penetrated by a network of capillaries. There are four major cell types. The most abundant beta cells (50-80%) secrete INSULIN. Alpha cells (5-20%) secrete GLUCAGON. PP cells (10-35%) secrete PANCREATIC POLYPEPTIDE. Delta cells (~5%) secrete SOMATOSTATIN. Islands of Langerhans,Islet Cells,Nesidioblasts,Pancreas, Endocrine,Pancreatic Islets,Cell, Islet,Cells, Islet,Endocrine Pancreas,Islet Cell,Islet, Pancreatic,Islets, Pancreatic,Langerhans Islands,Langerhans Islets,Nesidioblast,Pancreatic Islet
D008810 Mice, Inbred C57BL One of the first INBRED MOUSE STRAINS to be sequenced. This strain is commonly used as genetic background for transgenic mouse models. Refractory to many tumors, this strain is also preferred model for studying role of genetic variations in development of diseases. Mice, C57BL,Mouse, C57BL,Mouse, Inbred C57BL,C57BL Mice,C57BL Mice, Inbred,C57BL Mouse,C57BL Mouse, Inbred,Inbred C57BL Mice,Inbred C57BL Mouse
D008953 Models, Anatomic Three-dimensional representation to show anatomic structures. Models may be used in place of intact animals or organisms for teaching, practice, and study. Anatomic Models,Models, Surgical,Moulages,Models, Anatomical,Anatomic Model,Anatomical Model,Anatomical Models,Model, Anatomic,Model, Anatomical,Model, Surgical,Moulage,Surgical Model,Surgical Models
D008954 Models, Biological Theoretical representations that simulate the behavior or activity of biological processes or diseases. For disease models in living animals, DISEASE MODELS, ANIMAL is available. Biological models include the use of mathematical equations, computers, and other electronic equipment. Biological Model,Biological Models,Model, Biological,Models, Biologic,Biologic Model,Biologic Models,Model, Biologic
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D000818 Animals Unicellular or multicellular, heterotrophic organisms, that have sensation and the power of voluntary movement. Under the older five kingdom paradigm, Animalia was one of the kingdoms. Under the modern three domain model, Animalia represents one of the many groups in the domain EUKARYOTA. Animal,Metazoa,Animalia
D017709 Fractals Patterns (real or mathematical) which look similar at different scales, for example the network of airways in the lung which shows similar branching patterns at progressively higher magnifications. Natural fractals are self-similar across a finite range of scales while mathematical fractals are the same across an infinite range. Many natural, including biological, structures are fractal (or fractal-like). Fractals are related to "chaos" (see NONLINEAR DYNAMICS) in that chaotic processes can produce fractal structures in nature, and appropriate representations of chaotic processes usually reveal self-similarity over time. Fractal
D051379 Mice The common name for the genus Mus. Mice, House,Mus,Mus musculus,Mice, Laboratory,Mouse,Mouse, House,Mouse, Laboratory,Mouse, Swiss,Mus domesticus,Mus musculus domesticus,Swiss Mice,House Mice,House Mouse,Laboratory Mice,Laboratory Mouse,Mice, Swiss,Swiss Mouse,domesticus, Mus musculus

Related Publications

Junghyo Jo, and Andreas Hörnblad, and German Kilimnik, and Manami Hara, and Ulf Ahlgren, and Vipul Periwal
June 1996, Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics,
Junghyo Jo, and Andreas Hörnblad, and German Kilimnik, and Manami Hara, and Ulf Ahlgren, and Vipul Periwal
April 1992, Physical review letters,
Junghyo Jo, and Andreas Hörnblad, and German Kilimnik, and Manami Hara, and Ulf Ahlgren, and Vipul Periwal
March 1996, Physical review. B, Condensed matter,
Junghyo Jo, and Andreas Hörnblad, and German Kilimnik, and Manami Hara, and Ulf Ahlgren, and Vipul Periwal
February 1994, Physical review. B, Condensed matter,
Junghyo Jo, and Andreas Hörnblad, and German Kilimnik, and Manami Hara, and Ulf Ahlgren, and Vipul Periwal
May 1986, Physical review letters,
Junghyo Jo, and Andreas Hörnblad, and German Kilimnik, and Manami Hara, and Ulf Ahlgren, and Vipul Periwal
January 1996, Proceedings. Biological sciences,
Junghyo Jo, and Andreas Hörnblad, and German Kilimnik, and Manami Hara, and Ulf Ahlgren, and Vipul Periwal
December 1986, Physical review letters,
Junghyo Jo, and Andreas Hörnblad, and German Kilimnik, and Manami Hara, and Ulf Ahlgren, and Vipul Periwal
August 2020, Physical review letters,
Junghyo Jo, and Andreas Hörnblad, and German Kilimnik, and Manami Hara, and Ulf Ahlgren, and Vipul Periwal
March 1994, Physical review. E, Statistical physics, plasmas, fluids, and related interdisciplinary topics,
Junghyo Jo, and Andreas Hörnblad, and German Kilimnik, and Manami Hara, and Ulf Ahlgren, and Vipul Periwal
February 2002, Physical review. E, Statistical, nonlinear, and soft matter physics,
Copied contents to your clipboard!