Sentences with phrase «alpha cells»

The goal was to generate functional beta - like cells from pancreatic alpha cells, which may be the ideal source for beta cell replacement.

Moreover, the strategy successfully generated functional insulin - producing cells from human alpha cells.

However, alpha cells do not normally become beta cells.

«We still do not fully know why individuals with T1D are particularly susceptible to hypoglycemia, partly because our understanding of alpha cell function is quite limited,» said Dr. Alvin C. Powers, Chief of the Division of Diabetes, Endocrinology, and Metabolism at the Vanderbilt University School of Medicine.

Glucagon is synthesized by alpha cells of pancreas.

New York, NY — The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust today announced 13 new grants that will fund pilot research projects to identify ways to restore alpha cell function in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

In those mice, but not in normal mice, they found that caerulein caused existing alpha cells in the pancreas to differentiate into insulin - producing beta cells.

Helmsley Charitable Trust Awards $ 2.7 Million for Efforts to Prevent Hypoglycemia in Type 1 Diabetes by Restoring Alpha Cell Function

«Despite clear potential benefits for individuals with T1D, research into human alpha cell dysfunction within the context of T1D has been underappreciated and underfunded,» said Dr. Ben Williams, Program Officer of Helmsley's Type 1 Diabetes Program.

Yet while alpha cells can reprogram into insulin production also in old mice, the ability of delta cells to do so is limited and does not extend beyond puberty.

The researchers used an adeno - associated viral (AAV) vector to deliver to the mouse pancreas two proteins, Pdx1 and MafA, which reprogrammed plentiful alpha cells into functional, insulin - producing beta cells.

University of Miami, «Pilot studies to understand alpha cell dysfunction and correct glucagon secretion in type 1 diabetes,» led by Dr. Alejandro Caicedo

Four years ago, the research team of Pedro Herrera (University of Geneva) first cast doubt on this assumption when they demonstrated that a few alpha cells in the pancreas of genetically modified diabetic mice changed into beta cells.

The process of alpha cells converting to beta cells does not appear to have any age limitations — it occurred in young and old individuals — including some that had type 1 diabetes for decades.

Alpha cells normally produce the blood sugar - raising hormone glucagon, but in diabetic mice they started producing insulin instead.

So our next step is to find out which molecule (s) caerulein is targeting on alpha cells that triggers their transformation into beta cells.

It comes from alpha cells found in the pancreas and is closely related to insulin - secreting beta cells, making it a crucial component that keeps the body's blood glucose levels stable.

Alpha cells secrete glucagon hormone that increases glucose in blood, while the beta cells secrete insulin, the hormone decreasing glucose concentration.

Adding to the complexity of this disease, people with T1D also have dysfunctional alpha cells that, during activities such as exercise, permit uncorrected and dangerously low glucose levels that can lead to unconsciousness or even death.

Oregon Health and Science University, «Determine the role of alpha cell heterogeneity in T1D,» led by Dr. Markus Grompe

A therapy that could reestablish alpha cells» ability to detect low glucose levels and secrete glucagon would be a game - changer for glucose management, by reducing or even preventing hypoglycemic episodes.

Vanderbilt University, «Improving isolation of pancreatic islets in T1D to assess alpha cell function and gene expression,» led by Drs. Al Powers and David Harlan (University of Massachusetts Medical School)

In contrast, the hormone glucagons is secreted into the bloodstream by pancreatic alpha cells upon sensing falling levels of blood glucose.

These results confirmed the sensitivity to estrogen of pancreatic alpha cells, which then secrete less hyperglycemic glucagon, but more GLP1.

University of California, San Francisco, «Modeling human alpha cell function and dysfunction associated with T1D,» led by Dr. Matthias Hebrok

Blood glucose levels are regulated by the pancreas» beta cells, which secrete insulin that signals to the body to reduce blood glucose levels; and by alpha cells, which secrete glucagon that signals to the body to increase blood glucose levels.

«We are hopeful that this research may shed light on promising approaches to restore alpha cell function and prevent hypoglycemia.»

This gene therapy approach restored normal blood glucose levels in diabetic mice for an extended period of time, typically around four months, and the new insulin - producing cells derived almost exclusively from alpha cells.

In contrast to the conversion of alpha cells, which only concerns a small fraction of the alpha cell population, the new mechanism involving delta cell fate change is a more efficient way of offsetting the loss of beta cells and thus diabetes recovery.

Alpha cells and beta cells are both endocrine cells meaning they synthesize and secret hormones — and they exist right next to one another in the pancreas in structures called islets.

«But we went a step further: indeed, the gut harbours cells called the L cells that are very similar to pancreatic alpha cells and whose main function is precisely to produce GLP1.

For example, alpha cells are plentiful, resemble beta cells, and are in the correct location, all of which could facilitate reprogramming.

Depending on the concentration of cannabinoids and the activity of two different receptors, the islets became larger or smaller, while the alpha cells, usually located outside the islets, were able to migrate inside,» explains Dr. Katarzyna Malenczyk fom the Nencki Institute, the first author of the publication.

By comparing the gene expression patterns of normal beta cells and insulin - producing cells derived from alpha cells, the researchers confirmed nearly complete cellular reprogramming.

Cannabinoids produced by the alpha cells may in fact activate cannabinoid CB1 receptors located in the pancreatic islets.

The alpha cells of the islets secrete glucagon, which raises blood glucose (sugar) levels by stimulating the breakdown of liver glycogen.

«Because of new technologies for studying the alpha cell, promising opportunities like this effort to understand T1D's underlying alpha cell dysfunction are the first step to developing therapies to correct it.»

Also, there are cells you do want to be sensitive to insulin; alpha cells, which secrete glucagon, and the hepatocytes that make glucose.