Summary

Trophic factors such as nerve and fibroblast growth factors are important modulators of 13 cell physiology. These two factors induce the extension of neurite-Iike processes in primary cultures of adult rat 13 cells. Moreover, both NGF and FGF enhance glucose-induced insulin secretion. Since â cells synthesize NGF and pancreatic islet cells produce FGFs, it is possible that autocrine/paracrine interactions may be major regulators of insulin secretion, and impairment of these interactions could lead to pathological states such as diabetes mellitus.