DRC & Research News

One of the main focuses of many studies regarding type 1 diabetes is how to generate new cells or reprogram existing cells to function as insulin-producing beta cells. Scientists have been exploring islet transplantation, gene editing, and more. Now, scientists from Oregon Health and Science University led by Professor Markus Grompe and Dr. Feorillo Galivo are evaluating the potential that human gallbladder cells may hold.

In type 1 diabetes, the body mistakenly destroys insulin-producing cells leading to uncontrolled blood glucose levels. The scientists introduced four new genes into harvested gallbladder cells which reprogrammed the cells to act more like the insulin-producing beta cells that the body had destroyed. In laboratory testing, these cells were able to respond to increased blood glucose levels by producing insulin. They also transplanted the cells into mice, but more research is needed to determine whether they are able to effectively control blood glucose levels. One issue that was discovered is that the cells had a very short lifespan, only surviving about four weeks. Some cells were also overly active.

They are still in the earlier stages of research and more testing and adjustment is necessary, but preliminary results show that this technique may hold great potential. This is yet another treatment strategy to explore and see how it can be used to treat and potentially cure type 1 diabetes.

The Diabetes Research Connection supports novel research projects by early career scientists providing up to $50,000 in funding. Projects are all focused on preventing and curing type 1 diabetes or improving quality of life for those living with the disease. To become a donor and support these initiatives, visit http://diabetesresearchconnection.org.

Altering human genetics is a sensitive subject. There are a lot of things that could potentially go wrong, but also many that could go right. CRISPR/Cas9 technology allows scientists to precisely cut out a segment of DNA and replace it with a new segment. By modifying specific genes, they could essentially eliminate certain diseases and remove inherited diseases from the human germline.

This unleashes new opportunities when it comes to treating – and potentially curing – diabetes. Scientists recently implanted skin grafts with a gene (GLP1) to stimulate insulin secretion by the pancreas. They attached these grafts to mice and found that the new genes helped to remove excess glucose from the bloodstream. Using skin grafts is a safe and relatively inexpensive process.

Researchers in Sweden managed to use CRISPR/Cas9 to switch off an enzyme that is involved in regulating the TXNIP gene which affects beta cell death and decreases insulin production. In Australia, the technology was used to try to identify rogue immune cells that attack the pancreas and contribute to the development of type 1 diabetes.

However, there is still more research that needs to be done to fully understand the impact of gene editing and potential effects that it could have. Though highly precise, there is still around a one percent chance of off-target effects occurring. These are changes to other parts of the genome outside of the area targeted by CRISPR/Cas9. There is a lot of risks involved with changing human DNA and many questions that are still unanswered. Furthermore, many of these studies have been conducted on mice and results do not always correlate exactly to humans.

But with more extensive testing and research, scientists may be able to find a safe way to treat or even cure diabetes through gene editing. Studies that exist so far hold potentially promising results. It is these types of cutting-edge, innovative approaches that could change the future of type 1 diabetes. The Diabetes Research Connection proudly supports early career scientists in pursuing novel research for type 1 diabetes. Click to learn more about current projects and provide support.

In individuals with type 1 diabetes, the body mistakenly attacks insulin-producing cells and destroys them. This leaves the body unable to regulate the amount of sugar in the blood or shift the sugar into cells that convert it into energy. Uncontrolled blood sugar can take a toll on the body damaging the kidneys and heart and leading to other complications. Individuals with type 1 diabetes must take care to monitor their own blood sugar and administer the correct amount of insulin to make up for the work that would normally be done by the pancreatic cells.

However, researchers at the University of Pittsburgh are looking for a way to overcome these challenges by focusing on change at a cellular level. Since the body destroys insulin-producing cells, they are striving to replace them. The researchers want to use the body’s own pluripotent stem cells and turn them into pancreatic islet cells.

To do this, they must determine exactly how to manipulate the cells to get them to transform into the islet cells needed by the body. They are working in collaboration with other universities to further their studies.

According to Ipsita Banerjee, principal investigator in the study and a professor of chemical and bioengineering at the University of Pittsburgh, “We should be able to mass produce these islets, and actually, we have another grant where we are primarily looking into how to mass produce pluripotent stem cells.”

Results from early clinical trials show short-term improvement in more than half of participants. They were able to go off of insulin for two-week periods of time during the first year but most eventually had to continue using insulin injections. Further testing and clinical trials could help to improve these results.

This is far from the only study being conducted to improve the lives of individuals with type 1 diabetes. Researchers are continually striving to make innovate breakthroughs and try cutting-edge approaches. The Diabetes Research Connection supports early career scientists with up to $50,000 in funding for research on type 1 diabetes. These are projects that hold potential but may be passed over by more prominent and competitive funding sources. Click to learn more about current projects and provide support. Every penny counts.

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is yet unknown. Researchers have a good understanding of how type 1 diabetes works and impacts the body, but not of the cellular intricacies that contribute to the development of the disease. A recent study examined the age and role of beta cells within pancreatic islets to better understand proliferation and function within the organ.

The study examined zebrafish and found that younger beta cells replicate more quickly than older beta cells, but they are less functional in terms of glucose responsiveness. As cells mature, they synchronize their proliferation and function.  In addition, within the pancreas differentiated cells are responsible for both organ growth and function, but it is yet undetermined whether certain cells make specific contributions to one factor or the other.  Organs such as the brain operate differently when it comes to increases in cellular mass and differentiation of cell function.

Through closer examination, researchers found that in the pancreas, beta cells differentiate according to the location in different parts of the embryo. In post-embryonic stages of development, beta cells from these different lineages are all brought together. This may also impact glucose responsiveness and the ability to balance insulin production with the energy necessary to support cell division. More research is necessary to determine exactly how proliferation and function affect heterogeneity in human beta cells and pancreatic islets.

The Diabetes Research Connection supports innovative and cutting-edge research when it comes to type 1 diabetes. Funds are raised for early career scientists to advance their research and contribute to the prevention or cure of type 1 diabetes as well as improving quality of life for those living with the disease. To learn more and support research efforts, visit http://diabetesresearchconnection.org.