In pancreatic beta cells, insulin is produced as proinsulin and packaged into secretory granules at a region of the cell called the trans-Golgi network (TGN). After maturation which includes the conversion of proinsulin to insulin, insulin granules are trafficked to the cell membrane where their contents are released through a process known as exocytosis. Actin […]
Category: Beta Cell Physiology and Dysfunction
Evaluating senescence induction in human beta cells upon transplantation
We are interested in cell replacement therapy as a potential practical cure for patients suffering from diabetes. Using stem cell derived beta cell clusters and cadaveric human islets transplantation in preclinical animal models we find distinct changes to the beta cell phenotype. This project will test if our observations hold true in islet recipients. We […]
Therapeutic targeting of senescent β cells in Type 1 Diabetes
A growing body of evidence has implicated various forms of beta cell dysfunction in the pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). Recently we discovered that during the natural history of T1D, a subpopulation of β cells become senescent. Senescence is a cell type-specific form of permanent growth arrest, which occurs during aging, tissue damage or […]
VDAC1 a Common Denominator of Pancreatic β-cell and Vascular Endothelial Cell Apoptosis in T1D and its Organ Complications
Impaired insulin secretion from the β-cells characterizes both type 2 and the initial phase of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Although the two sub-forms have different causes, we postulate that the rapidly developing β-cell defect and death in T1D as well as the slowly progressing β-cell dysfunction associated with T2D share a common cellular mechanism. Long-term […]