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The aim of this study was to assess the expression of different types of cadherins in human islets and their role in human β-cell apoptosis. Expression of E-, N-, and P-cadherins was studied by immunofluorescence on pancreas sections and islet cells, and by Western blotting on protein extracts of isolated islets and islet cells. The effects of specific cadherins on cell adhesion and apoptosis were studied using chimeric proteins containing functional E-, N-, or P-cadherin ectodomains fused to Fc fragment of Ig (E-cad/Fc, N-cad/Fc, and P-cad/Fc) and immobilized on glass substrate. β-Cells were identified by immunofluorescence for insulin and apoptotic cells by terminal deoxynucleotide transferase-mediated 2′-deoxyuridine, 5′-triphosphate nick-end labeling. By immunofluorescence, we showed that E- and N-, and not P-, cadherins were expressed at the surface of islet cells. By triple staining, we showed that E …