Epsilon cell Epsilon cell Epsilon cells (ε-cells) are endocrine cells found in the Islets of Langerhans and produce the hormone ghrelin. They were discovered in mice. In human fetal pancreases, single epsilon cells scattered in primitive exocrine tissue were observed to start aggregating into clusters after gestational week 13. From gestational week 21, epsilon cells were observed around developing islets, forming an almost continuous layer at the rim of the islets. In adult pancreas samples, they remained localized on the mantle of the islets in different amounts. Production of ghrelin with insulin, glucagon, or somatostatin was not detected during development. Co-production with
Paul Langerhans Paul Langerhans Paul Langerhans (25 July 1847 – 20 July 1888) was a German pathologist, physiologist and biologist, credited with the discovery of the cells that secrete insulin, named after him as the islets of Langerhans. Langerhans was born in Berlin on 25 July 1847, the son of a physician. He later entered the renowned Graues Kloster in the same city. Due to his outstanding performance he was exempted from the final oral examinations. He began his medical studies at the University of Jena and completed them in Berlin. In February 1869, he presented a thesis entitled “Contributions to the