Approach to regeneration of the pancreas
at Diabetes the body often cannot do enough Insulin produce to the blood sugar levels lower enough. Those affected are therefore often dependent on injecting insulin. A new therapeutic approach aims to stimulate the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas to regenerate so that sufficient endogenous insulin can be produced once more.
researchers of Karolinska Institutet in Sweden have deciphered a mechanism that might stimulate the pancreas to form new insulin-producing cells. The research results were recently published in the renowned journal “Nature Chemical Biology” presents.
Insulin balance plays a central role in diabetes
Insulin is a hormone needed to absorb sugar (glucose) from the blood. Elevated blood sugar levels are characteristic of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. The high blood sugar is on one Lack of endogenous insulin due to or an inability to utilize the released insulin.
Diabetes is currently not curable
Although diabetes can be controlled by a healthy lifestyle with an adapted diet, injections of insulin or blood-sugar-lowering medication, the metabolic disease cannot be cured according to the current state of knowledge.
“We are therefore researching the possible regeneration of the insulin-producing β-cells in the pancreas”explains the first author of the study Christos Karampelias.
New approach to diabetes therapy
The Swedish research group has now presented its latest study results, the one healing diabetes therapy might have come within reach. The team identified a mechanism for Renewal of β-cells in the pancreas.
“Our results point to a new potential target for the treatment of diabetes”confirms the lead researcher Dr. Olov Andersson. The aim is to regulate blood sugar levels by stimulating the pancreas to produce more β-cells and consequently more insulin.
A molecule stimulates the production of β-cells
In a previous study, the team from Karolinska Institutet had a molecule called CID661578 identified that the Regeneration of insulin-producing β-cells can stimulate. In the current work, the researchers were able to decode the underlying mechanisms of this process.
Production of insulin might be increased
As the working group found, binds Protein namens MNK2 to the discovered molecule. The binding stimulates certain processes that stimulate the formation of new β-cells in the pancreas.
In zebrafish, pigs and human organoids, the Production of insulin can already be increased by the newly discovered molecule.
Not tested on humans yet
“We will now investigate the effect of this and similar molecules in human tissue and analyze the molecule’s target protein, MNK2, in tissue from healthy donors with diabetes.”, explains Dr. Andersson the next steps. (vb)
Author and source information
This text corresponds to the specifications of medical specialist literature, medical guidelines and current studies and has been checked by medical professionals.
Author:
Graduate editor (FH) Volker Blasek
Sources:
- Karolinska Institutet: Study describes new way of generating insulin-producing cells (veröffentlicht: 13.06.2022), news.ki.se
- Karampelias, C., Watt, K., Mattsson, C.L. et al. MNK2 deficiency potentiates β-cell regeneration via translational regulation. Nat Chem Biol (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41589-022-01047-x, nature.com
Important NOTE:
This article contains general advice only and should not be used for self-diagnosis or treatment. He can not substitute a visit at the doctor.
