Diabetes affects more than 29 million people in the United States. It is caused by the dysfunction or loss of insulin producing beta cells, which help the body to achieve normal blood sugar levels. Previously, only a single variety of beta cell was known to exist.
A new study has determined the existence of at least four separate subtypes of human insulin producing beta cells that may be important in the understanding and treatment of diabetes. The findings were published in the journal Nature Communications.
"This study marks the first description of several different kinds of human insulin producing beta cells," said primary investigator. "Some of the cells are better at releasing insulin than others, whereas others may regenerate quicker. Therefore, it is possible that people with different percentages of the subtypes are more prone to diabetes. Further understanding of cell characteristics could be the key to uncovering new treatment options, as well as the reason why some people are diabetic and others are not."
Using human pancreatic islets, or clusters of up to 4,000 cells, the team discovered a method to identify and isolate four distinct types of beta cells. They also found that hundreds of genes were differently expressed between cell subtypes and that they produced different amounts of insulin. All type 2 diabetics had abnormal percentages of the subtypes, suggesting a possible role in the disease process.
Additional research is needed to determine how different forms of diabetes - and other diseases - affect the new cell subtypes, as well as how researchers may take advantage of these differences for medical treatment.
http://www.ohsu.edu/xd/about/news_events/news/2016/07-11-Discovery-of-insulin-producing-beta-cell-subtypes-may-impact-diabetes-treatment.cfm
Insulin-producing beta cell subtypes discovered!
- 2,317 views
- Added
Edited
Latest News
Paranoia in the brain
By newseditor
Posted 16 Jun
In-vitro 3D culture of func…
By newseditor
Posted 15 Jun
Neural balance in the brain…
By newseditor
Posted 15 Jun
Antimalarial compounds reli…
By newseditor
Posted 15 Jun
3D imaging of whole human b…
By newseditor
Posted 14 Jun
Other Top Stories
Brain protein's virus-like structure explains cancer-induced memory…
Read more
Evaluating circulating tumor cells via chip technology to determine…
Read more
Targeting treatment resistance in chronic lymphocytic leukemia
Read more
Unique tumor-related bacteria tied to young-onset colorectal cancer
Read more
How the tumor escapes therapies
Read more
Protocols
Bioengineered human colon o…
By newseditor
Posted 14 Jun
Development of an efficient…
By newseditor
Posted 12 Jun
A co-culture system of macr…
By newseditor
Posted 10 Jun
Analysis of 3D pathology sa…
By newseditor
Posted 08 Jun
Long-term expandable mouse…
By newseditor
Posted 07 Jun
Publications
NRG1-ErbB4 signaling in the…
By newseditor
Posted 15 Jun
HPV integration and cervica…
By newseditor
Posted 15 Jun
Cerebral tau pathology in c…
By newseditor
Posted 15 Jun
Cerebral tau pathology in c…
By newseditor
Posted 15 Jun
Synthetic biodegradable mic…
By newseditor
Posted 15 Jun
Presentations
Myelin plasticity in the ve…
By newseditor
Posted 10 Jun
Hydrogels in Drug Delivery
By newseditor
Posted 12 Apr
Lipids
By newseditor
Posted 31 Dec
Cell biology of carbohydrat…
By newseditor
Posted 29 Nov
RNA interference (RNAi)
By newseditor
Posted 23 Oct
Posters
A chemical biology/modular…
By newseditor
Posted 22 Aug
Single-molecule covalent ma…
By newseditor
Posted 04 Jul
ASCO-2020-HEALTH SERVICES R…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-HEAD AND NECK CANCER
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar
ASCO-2020-GENITOURINARY CAN…
By newseditor
Posted 23 Mar