Project summary
Type 1 diabetes affects cells in the pancreas that protect against dangerous low blood sugar levels (hypos). Dr Thomas Hill will uncover why these cells stop working and test existing drugs that could restore the body’s natural defence against hypos. This could make insulin treatment safer and help people with type 1 diabetes avoid the dangers and daily challenges caused by hypos.
Background to research
In type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys the beta cells in the pancreas that make insulin. But beta cell loss isn’t the only problem. Other types of cells in the pancreas are also affected.
Alpha cells release glucagon, a hormone that raises blood sugar levels. And delta cells also help control glucagon production. When these cells don’t work properly, blood sugar can drop too low after insulin treatment, leading to hypos.
We still don’t understand exactly why this loss of protection against hypos happens in people with type 1 diabetes, or how to fix it.
Research aims
Dr Thomas Hill aims to find out why alpha and delta cells go wrong in type 1 diabetes, and to identify drugs that can restore the body’s natural defence against low blood sugar.
The researchers will study mice with type 1 diabetes, focusing on where their alpha or delta cells glow under the microscope. This makes it possible to track these cells as diabetes develops and see when and how they stop working.
They will:
- Study how alpha and delta cells change during the development of type 1 diabetes.
- Identify the signals that cause glucagon release to fail.
- Test existing medicines that could protect or restore these cells.
- Confirm promising results using pancreas tissue donated by people with type 1 diabetes.
Potential benefit to people with diabetes
Hypos are common, unpleasant, and dangerous. And fear of severe hypos affects everyday life for many people with type 1 diabetes.
Current ways of treating a hypo only work once a hypo has already started. This research aims to develop treatments that prevent hypos before they happen by restoring the body’s own protection.
If successful, this work could make insulin treatment safer, reduce fear of hypos, and improve quality of life for people living with type 1 diabetes.
