Recovery of beta cells

Scientists have presented a new way to treat diabetes

Svetlana Maslova, Hi-tech+

Therapy is aimed at creating beta cells of the pancreas, which produce insulin in the body. Today, millions of patients inject insulin on their own to control the disease, but a new alternative may open up fundamentally new treatment options.

The work of the authors from the Karolinska Institute is based on their previous research, in which it was possible to identify a small molecule capable of stimulating the regeneration of insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas. Now they have discovered the molecular mechanism of this process, indicating new opportunities in the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

The article Karampelias et al. MNK2 deficiency potentiates β-cell regeneration via translational regulation is published in the journal Nature Chemical Biology – VM.

Observations have shown that the molecule binds to the MNK2 protein, regulating the translation of mRNA and enhancing the synthesis of proteins necessary for the creation of new beta cells. In preclinical models, the treatment promoted the creation of new beta cells in pigs, as well as the launch of stimulation of insulin expression in human organoids. The danio fish, which served as the first model organism in this discovery, also had lower blood glucose levels after treatment.

Currently, diabetic patients are forced to regularly perform insulin injections and take glucose-lowering drugs, but the discovery may change existing therapy options. "The new treatment is an alternative by increasing the number of insulin—producing cells," said co-author Christos Karampelias.

Now the team will continue research on human tissues, as well as study the behavior of target targets in the body of healthy people and patients with diabetes.

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