Multiple types of beta cells producein the pancreas, helping to balance blood sugar levels. A recent study conducted by Weill Cornell Medicine investigators has revealed that the loss of a highly productive type of beta cell in the pancreas could potentially contribute to the development of diabetes., examined gene expression in individual beta cells from mice to identify the number of different beta cell types in the pancreas.
The investigators used a technique called single-cell transcriptomics to measure all the genes expressed in individual mouse beta cells and then used that information to group them into four types. The cluster 1 beta cells had a unique gene expression signature that included high expression of genes that help cellular powerhouses called mitochondria to break down sugar and power them to secrete more insulin.
“They are very high-functioning beta cells,” Dr. Lo said. “We think they may carry the bulk of the workload of producing insulin, so their loss might have profound impacts.” Transplanting beta cells with high CD63 production into mice with type 2 diabetes restored their blood sugar levels to normal. But removing the transplanted cells caused high blood sugar levels to return. Transplanting low CD63 production beta cells into the mice didn’t restore blood sugar to normal levels. The transplanted low CD63 beta cells instead appeared dysfunctional.
“If we can figure out how to keep them around longer, surviving and functional, that could lead to better ways to treat or prevent type 2 diabetes,” he said.
Source: Healthcare Press (healthcarepress.net)
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