We are closer than ever to finding a cure for type 1 diabetes.
Researchers have discovered that the body’s natural insulin producing cells are more active in people with diabetes. The researchers also discovered that if you increase the activity of these cells, this can result in better control of your blood sugar. This discovery could lead to a cure for type 1 diabetes. As type 1 diabetes develops due to an autoimmune response, the pancreas — which produces and secretes the insulin needed to help glucose enter cells for energy production — does not function normally and is damaged over time.
In those who develop type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks beta cells in the pancreas, which produces and secretes insulin. Therefore, a cure for type 1 diabetes will involve restoring beta cell function so that insulin is produced again.
The new research shows that increasing levels of GDF-8 in mice led to higher levels of stem cells within the pancreas called endocrine progenitors. These endocrine progenitors are known to produce hormones like insulin and glucagon as well as influence how much these hormones are produced by neighboring beta cells. However, it was unclear how these endocrine progenitors influenced beta cell development and function.
The official article can be found here : https://southtexasmed.com/diabetes-breakthrough-increases-insulin-producing-cells/
New research shows that endocrine progenitors in the pancreas produce more insulin producing cells
Langerhans islets are a type of beta cell that produce and secrete insulin. These beta cells are still present in the pancreas of people with type 1 diabetes. After the autoimmune response destroys the beta cells, the islets do not function properly and portions of them are replaced by non-functioning beta cells. The replacement of beta cells with non-beta cells is called autophagy.
Researchers have long sought methods to increase the number of islets and beta cells. Langerhans islets have a special ability to regenerate. If you damage the islets, they will regenerate more islets to form a new functional pancreas. However, it was unclear how endocrine progenitors stimulated endocrine islet cell formation.
How does increasing GDF-8 lead to better control of blood sugar?
There is a large body of evidence that people with better control of their blood sugar have more beta cells with insulin production capability. In people with type 1 diabetes, the autoimmune response destroys many of the beta cells, leaving behind a reduced amount of beta cells with insulin production capability.
GDF-8 increases the number of beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Several studies show that people with better control of their blood sugar have more beta cells with insulin production capability. Therefore, GDF-8 could increase these beta cells.
Increasing levels of GDF-8 in mice results in higher levels of endocrine progenitors and how it may help us find a cure for type 1 diabetes
Researchers observed that increased levels of GDF-8 in mice led to higher levels of stem cells within the pancreas called endocrine progenitors. These endocrine progenitors are known to produce hormones like insulin and glucagon as well as influence how much these hormones are produced by neighboring beta cells. However, it was unclear how these endocrine progenitors influenced beta cell development and function.
Based on this research, increasing GDF-8 will result in increasing numbers of beta cells with insulin production capability and function
Researchers observed that increased levels of GDF-8 in mice led to higher levels of stem cells within the pancreas called endocrine progenitors. These endocrine progenitors are known to produce hormones like insulin and glucagon as well as influence how much these hormones are produced by neighboring beta cells. However, it was unclear how these endocrine progenitors influenced beta cell development and function.
Gene Transfer using a Viral Vector” : A Therapy aimed finding a Cure for Type 1 Diabetes
Researchers looked at several methods to increase beta cell function. Some researchers have tried to increase insulin production using gene therapy. However, this approach resulted in a few people with diabetes who experienced higher blood sugar levels. The researchers found that increasing levels of GDF-8 in mice led to higher levels of stem cells within the pancreas called endocrine progenitors.
These endocrine progenitors are known to produce hormones like insulin and glucagon as well as influence how much these hormones are produced by neighboring beta cells. Based on this research, increasing GDF-8 will result in increasing numbers of beta cells with insulin production capability and function. Researchers looked at several methods to increase beta cell function.
Conclusion
We are still far away from a cure for type 1 diabetes. However, current research is showing promise as we seek a cure. The more we know about the disease, the more likely we can develop a cure. This research suggests that increasing the levels of a protein called GDF-8 in the pancreas will result in higher levels of stem cells within the pancreas called endocrine progenitors.
These endocrine progenitors are known to produce hormones like insulin and glucagon as well as influence how much these hormones are produced by neighboring beta cells. If we can restore beta cell function, this will result in better control of blood sugar. Further research is needed to determine if increasing GDF-8 will result in new stem cell formation and beta cell regeneration in humans.
