Research

Pancreatic β cell mass in the islets decreases in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Therefore, restoring the functional β cell mass is a key approach to cure diabetes. On the other hand, there are a lot of differences in structure and function between animal models and human islets. For this reason, the use of human islets is required for the research treat diabetes. In this research unit, we are conducting research that incorporates animal models and human islets.

On-going projects

1. Analysis of the mechanism of human β-cell survival and proliferation
2. Investigation of molecular basis of human α-cell function and plasticity
3. Analysis of the regulation of islet cell functions at single-cell resolution

Keywords

human islet, pancreatic β cell, pancreatic α cell, apoptosis, cell replication, organ network, diabetes

Select References

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3. Arai M, et al. (2023) Thyroid 33: 804-816.
4. Shirakawa J, et al. (2022) Cell Rep 41: 111436.
5. Miyashita D, et al. (2022) iScience 25: 105662.
6. Li J, et al. (2022) Diabetes 71: 424-439.
7. Inoue R, et al. (2022) iScience 5: 104603.
8. Shirakawa J, et al. (2014) Endocrinology 155: 2102-2111.