Pancreatic Cells Are Revived to Make Insulin by a Cancer Medication
Researchers used a medication typically used to treat cancer with a naturally occurring anti-inflammatory to encourage pancreatic stem cells to develop into cells that produce insulin. The study results may one day help develop a different strategy for helping type 1 diabetics resume producing insulin.
The immune system of type 1 diabetics causes the pancreas’ beta cells to get injured or killed, releasing little or no insulin. The development of therapies to replenish beta cells has been the subject of extensive research, including transforming stem cells from other body parts into cells that make insulin. The International Diabetes Federation estimates that 8.75 million people worldwide will have type 1 diabetes in 2022.
Exploiting the Potential: Controlling Pancreatic Cells to Produce Insulin
Endocrine and exocrine cells make up the pancreas. Exocrine cells produce enzymes secreted into the small intestine and aid in food digestion, whereas endocrine cells secrete hormones like insulin.
Exocrine cells called ductal cells line the tubes (ducts) that carry pancreatic enzymes. Previous research has revealed that stem cell offspring (ductal progenitor cells) can develop into beta cells that produce insulin.
Now, in a proof-of-concept study, scientists from the Baker Heart and Diabetes Institute in Australia have encouraged ductal progenitor cells to develop into beta-like cells that can produce insulin by using a combination of synthetic medicine and a naturally generated substance.
The researchers combined a synthetic EZH2 inhibitor, commonly used in cancer treatment, with triptolide, a substance derived from a Chinese herb with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. The polycomb repressive complex-2 enzyme was created thanks to instructions from the EZH2 gene. It is a complex protein component.
Triptolide and EZH2 Inhibitors Reactivate Ductal Cells for Insulin Production
The complex decides the type of cell an immature cell will eventually become by turning off specific genes. Overactive EZH2 enzymes cause uncontrolled cell proliferation, which can result in cancer. EZH2 inhibitors target and suppress the enzyme to treat cancer, preventing tumor growth.
They discovered that the EZH2 inhibitor-triptolide combination reactivated human ductal cells after 48 hours, restoring their progenitor potential and enabling their differentiation into beta-like cells. The cells produced insulin when exposed to a glucose solution.
According to the researchers, “experimental observations suggest the possibility that reprogrammed cells were capable of producing insulin and functionally elevated insulin secretion in response to glucose stimulation.”
The trial results, in the opinion of the researchers, offer some support for an effective alternative treatment for type 1 diabetes. To fully comprehend the mechanism of action of these drugs, additional study is necessary.
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