β-cells

[Nature Communications] Researchers uncovered unique factors that guided in vitro development of endocrine progenitors, with WNT5A markedly improving human β-cell differentiation.

[Cell Reports Medicine] Scientists studied the efficacy of a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) and estrogen dual agonist (GLP1-E2) in pancreatic islet protection. GLP1-E2 provided superior protection from insulin-deficient diabetes induced by multiple low-dose streptozotocin and by the Akita mutation in mice than a GLP-1 monoagonist.

[Journal of Translational Medicine] Investigators highlight the role of mitochondria in metabolism secretion coupling in the β-cells and summarize the evidence accumulated for the implication of mitochondria in β-cell dysfunction in diabetes mellitus.

[Nature Communications] Researchers reported the identification of two RNA aptamers that specifically and selectively recognize mouse and human β cells.

[Trends in Endocrinology and Metabolism] The authors highlight the importance of studying pancreatic β-cell expansion and functional maturation signaling pathways and epigenetic programs to understand the causes of different forms of diabetes and to permit the design of novel therapeutic strategies.

[Science Translational Medicine] In response to PX-478 treatment, human islet organoids chronically exposed to high glucose presented improved stimulation index of glucose-induced insulin secretion.