Beta cell function

Project objectives

Type 1 diabetes (DM1) is the most common disease in childhood and adolescence, and can also manifest in adults. Despite recent advances in understanding its pathogenesis, the mechanism responsible for pancreatic beta-cell destruction remains unclear. Immune system alterations have been described in DM1, suggesting that both the induction of immune tolerance and the restoration of lymphocyte balance may promote beta-cell protection and consequently disease prevention. In patients with long-term disease, pancreatic islet cell transplantation may be the definitive therapeutic strategy. In this project, a team of renowned national and international researchers and clinicians specializing in diabetes, from five university institutions and with previous and current collaborations on such projects, will pool their expertise to elucidate some of the mechanisms involved in the pathogenesis of DM1 and to develop new therapeutic strategies.

Specific objectives of the project:

1. To study the role of dendritic cells (DCs), suppressor cells, and NK cells in the pathogenesis of the disease

2. To define new antigenic peptides involved in the genesis of the immune response, using a peptide library

3. By performing metabolic tests, study how the immunological process affects the secretion of other islet cells (alpha cells)

4. To conduct a double-blind trial with 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 (calcitriol) in patients with recently diagnosed DM1, advancing this new therapeutic approach that has been shown to be effective in a pilot study.

5. Generating beta cells from human pancreatic ductal cells could provide an unlimited source of beta cells for transplantation in the future.

The results of this project may shed new light on the pathogenesis of DM1 and offer insights into new treatment strategies both now and in the future.

Start and end date

30/11/2004 - 10/01/2007

Project Manager

Prof. Paolo Pozzilli, Diabetology and Endocrinology Research Unit - Scientific Coordinator of the Research Program

Coordinating institution of the project

Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma

Other Institutions involved

• University of Rome "La Sapienza"

• University of the Studies in Genova

• University of Rome Tor Vergata

• University of Palermo

• University of Perugia

Funding source(s).

Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research