Table 1.
Selected pancreatic beta-cell subtypes. Heterogeneity in beta-cell response has led to the identification of beta-cell subtypes. These subtypes may vary in spatial location within the islet, speed of response to a stimulus, and secretory capacity. The names of beta-cell subtypes, description of characteristics, and whether they were identified in mouse or human pancreata are defined below.
| Name of Subtype | Description of Characteristics | Mouse or Human | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| β1 | Highest GSIS, least abundant in T2D tissue | Human | Dorrell et al., 2016 (63) |
| β2 | CD9+, ST8SIA1-, stimulation index second highest after β1 | Human | |
| β3 | CD9-, ST8SIA1+, increased in T2D | Human | |
| β4 | Lowest GSIS, high basal secretion, increased in T2D | Human | |
| Hub | Pacemaker, responds quickly to calcium influx, makes up 1-10% of beta-cell mass | Both | Johnston et al., 2016 (98) |
| Virgin | Transcriptionally and functionally immature (UCN-), located at islet periphery, incapable of glucosensing | Both | Van der Meulen et al., 2017 (65) |
| Flattop+ | Mature, functional secretory granules, increased with high fat diet | Mouse | Bader et al., 2016 (69) |
| Flattop- | Immature, highly proliferative, Wnt+ (Become flattop+) | Mouse | |
| Top | Present in non-T1D setting, glucose responsive, express maturity markers | Mouse | Rui et al., 2017 (99) |
| Bottom | Population appears in a T1D environment, resistant to immune killing, unresponsive to glucose, express stemness markers | Mouse | |
| First-Responder | First to respond to calcium influx, other beta-cell response based on distance from these | Mouse | Kravets et al., 2020 (70) |
| Extreme | High levels of proinsulin and ribosomes, low insulin protein content, increased in db/db mice | Mouse | Farack et al., 2019 (78) |