New breakthrough in diabetes research. Scientists from the Technical University of Munich and the German Research Center have indeed identified a new inhibitory insulin receptor, which leads to increased sensitization of the insulin signaling pathway in pancreatic beta cells.
- The identification of this inhibitory receptor could allow the protection and regeneration of pancreatic beta cells, which produce insulin.
- The researchers succeeded in eliminating this inhibitory receptor in beta cells and blocking its function in mice.
- This restored beta cell function, giving hope for a cure for diabetes.
Diabetes is a complex disease characterized by the loss or dysfunction of insulin-producing beta cells in the islets of Langerhans, a “microorganism” located in the pancreas that controls blood sugar levels. According to this new study published in Nature, the inhibitory receptor identified could allow the protection and regeneration of beta cells for the remission of diabetes‧qu
To reach these conclusions, the researchers performed experiments in mice, which showed that the function of the receptor is to protect insulin-producing beta cells against activation of the constitutive insulin pathway. Scientists have also found that the receptor is upregulated in diabetes, and by blocking insulin signaling, it may contribute to insulin resistance.
“A very promising target to treat the leading cause of diabetes”
Insulin resistance is characterized by dysfunction of the beta cells of the pancreas. The latter normally secrete insulin which allows glucose to enter the cells of the body: muscles, adipose tissue… A well-established system which however does not work in people suffering from diabetes, preventing glucose from entering the cells. body and leading to an abnormally high level of sugar in the blood.
To determine whether the receptor responds to genetic or pharmacological factors, scientists knocked out the receptor in beta cells and blocked its function using monoclonal antibodies. “The result was exactly what we were hoping for: Insulin signaling and functional beta cell mass were increased. This makes this receptor a very promising target for treating the root cause of diabetes, namely the loss and dysfunction of beta cells.“, concludes Ansarullah, co-author of the research.
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