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Beta-Cell Function and Failure in Type 1 Diabetes

M. L. D. L. Vega-Monroy,C. Fernández-Mejía

Published 2011 in Unknown venue

ABSTRACT

Glucose is an essential energy source for all cells. Therefore, maintaining glucose levels within a normal range is essential for life in vertebrates. Glucose homeostasis in the organism is tightly regulated by insulin, a hormone that acts on the major glucose metabolic tissues such as muscle, liver and adipose tissue. Insulin’s main effects include promoting glucose uptake, glycogen synthesis in the liver and muscle, triglyceride formation to be stored in adipocytes, and protein synthesis. Insulin secretion is held by the pancreatic betacells, and it is modulated by glucose levels. Insufficient insulin secretion and consequent impairment of insulin’s actions lead to Diabetes Mellitus. Diabetes is a group of metabolic diseases characterized by hyperglycemia, caused by a defect on insulin production, insulin action or both. Type 1 diabetes in particular is due to an autoimmune destruction of the insulin producing pancreatic beta-cell, which usually leads to absolute insulin deficiency (ADA 2009). This type of diabetes accounts for 5-10% of the total cases of diabetes worldwide, and although its onset is commonly during childhood and adolescence, it can occur at any age, even during late adulthood. As the loss of beta-cells is determinant for the development of overt type 1 diabetes, understanding beta-cell’s normal physiology, namely insulin secretion, and how it may be affected during the progression of this disease is essential. Moreover, the development of new therapeutic interventions for type 1 diabetes, such as islet transplantation, beta cell maintenance and replacement, or stem cell therapy, requires a profound knowledge of how the presence of different nutrients and signals may regulate insulin secretion and beta-cell mass. In this chapter we aim to review the mechanisms involved in normal beta-cell function and beta-cell mass regulation, and how this function may be modulated by glucose, nutrients and signals in the beta-cell milieu. We also review how these mechanisms may be affected by the onset and progression of type 1 diabetes.

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