Pancreatic beta cells thrive solo, challenging established beliefs
New research from the University of Geneva suggests that pancreatic beta cells may function more effectively in isolation, potentially reshaping our understanding of diabetes treatment.
Consensus on microbiome biomarkers
A In a groundbreaking study published 21 August 2024 in Nature Metabolism [1], researchers at the University of Geneva (UNIGE) have demonstrated that pancreatic beta cells can not only survive but thrive without the presence of other hormone-producing cells in the pancreas. This finding challenges long-held beliefs about the interdependence of pancreatic cells and could pave the way for novel diabetes therapies.
Unexpected results from beta cell isolation
The study, published in Nature Metabolism, builds upon previous work by Professor Pedro Herrera’s team at UNIGE’s Faculty of Medicine. In 2010, they discovered that pancreatic cells could change function, with non-beta cells capable of producing insulin when beta cells were depleted.
To further investigate this phenomenon, the researchers developed a mouse model in which all non-beta cells in the pancreas could be selectively eliminated in adulthood. The aim was to observe how beta cells would manage glucose regulation in isolation.
Contrary to expectations, the mice with isolated beta cells demonstrated superior glycaemic control compared to standard animals. Marta Perez Frances, the study’s first author, noted: “Surprisingly, not only were our mice perfectly capable of managing their blood sugar levels effectively, but they were even healthier than the control mice!”
Enhanced insulin sensitivity
The isolated beta cell mice exhibited improved insulin sensitivity across all target tissues, particularly in adipose tissue. This held true even when the mice were subjected to challenges such as a high-fat diet or tests for insulin resistance – a key marker of diabetes.
Prof. Herrera explained the unexpected findings: “There is an adaptation process in which the body recruits other hormonal cells from outside the pancreas to cope with the sudden reduction in glucagon and other pancreatic hormones. But this clearly shows that non-beta cells of the pancreatic islets are not essential for maintaining glycaemic balance.”
Implications for diabetes treatment
These results challenge the prevailing notion that beta cells require the presence of other hormone-producing cells to function optimally. The study suggests that therapeutic strategies focusing solely on insulin-producing cells could be highly effective.
The research team is now working to establish the molecular and epigenetic profiles of non-beta cells from both diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. Their goal is to identify elements that could induce the conversion of these cells in the context of diabetes.
The findings open up new avenues for diabetes treatment. One potential approach involves identifying molecules capable of inducing and amplifying the natural conversion of pancreatic cells to insulin-producing cells – a process that occurs spontaneously in about 2% of pancreatic cells during insulin deficiency.
Another strategy could involve differentiating stem cells in vitro to produce new beta cells for transplantation into patients. “Our results are proof that strategies focusing on insulin cells could really pay off,” said Prof. Herrera
Reference:
1. Perez-Frances, M., Bru-Tari, E., Cohrs, C. et al. Regulated and adaptive in vivo insulin secretion from islets only containing β-cells. Nature Metabolism (2024).
https://doi.org/10.1038/s42255-024-01114-8
Pancreatic islets from adult mice. On the left, islet composed of different types of endocrine cells. Right: pancreatic islet composed solely of beta cells.
© Laboratoire Pedro Herrera – UNIGE
