Mesenchymal factors, Galectin-1, Neuroplastin, and Laminin α-2, are expressed in mouse and human pancreata. ((a), (b), and (c)) Coimmunofluorescence analysis of YFP linage-traced transgenic pancreata at e15.5, e17.5, p2, and p14 for coexpression of YFP marker, the common mesenchymal marker Vimentin (Vim, in (a)), Galectin-1 (Lgals1, in (b)), and Laminin α-2 (Lama2, in (c)). Size bar = 50 μm. (d) Healthy human pancreas sections showing vimentin (VIM) and galectin-1 (LGALS1) positive cells with mesenchymal morphology intermingled and in close proximity to insulin expressing beta cells organized in islets of Langerhans. Size bar = 50 μm. (e) Quantitative PCR analysis of Galectin-1 (LGALS1), Neuroplastin (NPTN), and Laminin α-2 (LAMA2) transcripts in human foreskin fibroblasts (n = 2) and purified human islet preparations (n = 5).