395 genes have been found to express themselves differently in type 2 diabetics, according to research. One of the genes turned out to be extremely closely linked to inadequate insulin secretion. Now, scientists want to look into whether it’s possible to modify the gene’s activity using the genetic CRISPR/Cas9 scissors.
The scientific publication by the research team, which was released in the Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI), demonstrated that 395 genes are expressed differentially in the pancreatic islets in people with type 2 diabetes. 94 of these genes had previously been identified. Analyses of insulin-producing cells from 283 people with or without type 2 diabetes served as the study’s foundation.
“One of the advantages of our current study is that we were able to confirm previously identified genes while also identifying a large number of additional genes that are differentially expressed in people with type 2 diabetes. Moreover, a gene that has been shown to be highly linked to decreased insulin secretion has been found.”
Previous research at LUDC has shown that there are patient groups who have difficulties with their insulin secretion. This subgroup has been called SIDD (Severe insulin-deficient diabetes) and it is a group characterized by impaired insulin secretion.
“It is possible that future treatments where we restore PAX5 levels can prove to be particularly beneficial to this group of patients. Type 2 diabetes is a growing global public health problem, and we urgently need to find new ways to treat the disease”, says Charlotte Ling.
