The pancreas in Type 1 diabetes

Background to project

Type 1 diabetes occurs when cells of the immune system attack the insulin-producing beta cells in the islets of the pancreas. Previous studies have described in detail the immune cells responsible for destroying the beta cells and there is increasing evidence of communication between them.

Project aims

This project will use state-of-the-art techniques to improve our understanding of the cellular and molecular processes involved in the immune attack that causes Type 1 diabetes.

Dr Kathleen Gillespie at the University of Bristol will use specific markers to identify the number of harmful and helpful immune cells found in pancreases from mice and from deceased human donors with Type 1 diabetes. She will compare this to the numbers of cells found in healthy pancreases. The presence of marker molecules called microRNAs, which are known to be important in the regulation of the immune system, will also be studied.

Potential benefit to people with diabetes

The study will provide novel insights into the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in Type 1 diabetes by helping to describe what is going on in the pancreases of people with the condition. Such insights could ultimately help researchers to identify targets for new therapies that in future could help to delay or prevent the onset of Type 1 diabetes.