About REG / Regenerating Islet-Derived:
Islet-derived protein, or IDP for short, is a group of proteins that are secreted by the pancreas. It helps in regulating blood sugar levels and insulin production. There are four different types of IDPs: alpha-, beta-, delta- and epsilon-. These help to regulate the immune system, cell growth, digestion, and other functions within the body. This post will focus on regenerating IDP (epsilon-IDPs).
REG Function
REG IDP (epsilon-IDPs) helps to regenerate cells in the human body. They do this mainly through a process called "apoptosis," which means that they cause cell death. This is necessary to protect the body from infections and diseases and fix damages in cells caused by oxidative stress. For IDP-generated cell death to occur, it must be signaled through a type of molecule called "Fas ligand."
Regenerating Islet-Derived Mechanism
The regenerative process starts when Fas ligands attach themselves to a receptor on the surface of a cell. This triggers a signaling cascade that results in an IDP called "TNF-alpha." The TNF-alpha is secreted by immune cells, which then binds to another protein called "TNF RII" and causes yet another signaling cycle. These processes result in some molecules releasing nitric oxide, which leads to cell death.
The REG process is needed in order for the body's natural healing and repair processes to function properly. It helps by eliminating damaged cells, which are a result of oxidative stress or infection. The IDPs also stop their own production so that they can focus on regeneration instead of creating more cells; this is called "autocrine regulation."