The pancreas can be subdivided into two distinct structures: the exocrine and the endocrine tissues. The exocrine compartment secretes and transports digestive enzymes to the duodenum, whereas the endocrine tissue is organized into small clusters of cells termed islets of Langerhans. The latter contain four main different hormone-secreting cell subtypes: alpha-, beta-, delta-, and PP-cells producing glucagon, insulin, somatostatin, and pancreatic polypeptide (PP), respectively.
Both type I and type II diabetes conditions may ultimately result in pancreatic beta-cell loss and chronic hyperglycemia. While current therapies (insulin supplementation, transplantation) provide a measure of control of the glycemia, treated diabetic patients still display a shortened life expectancy and worsened quality of life as compared to their healthy counterparts.
Our research therefore aims at finding alternative ways to treat type 1 diabetes through the induction of beta-cell regeneration.