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In Vivo Biomarkers for Detection of Beta Cell Death

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Islets of Langerhans, 2. ed.

Abstract

There is an immediate need for a noninvasive approach to detect beta cell destruction during the initial stages of type I diabetes and late stages of type II diabetes in order to permit early preventative and interventional treatment strategies. The appearance of circulating biomarkers has been highly useful in diagnosing specific organ damage and early detection of some types of cancer. Hence, for nearly two decades, there have been efforts to identify analogous prognosticating factors in diabetes. To date, studies have identified several beta cell-selective proteins which have recently been validated as biomarkers for detection of acute islet insulin cell death in vivo: glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65), doublecortin (DCX), and protein phosphatase inhibitor 1 (PPP1R1A). More recently, the PCR detection of circulating genomic DNA originating from the beta cell by its methylation fingerprint, as well as circulating beta cell-specific microRNA, has offered more sensitive means to discern in vivo islet damage. This chapter surveys the current state of beta cell biomarkers for real-time detection of cell death in vivo. While preclinical data suggests that we still have a long way to go, the successful translation of the biomarker approach to humans will revolutionize the way in which diabetes is treated.

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  1. Dr. Simon A. Hinke Ph. D.

    Present address: Janssen Research & Development, 1400 McKean Road, Spring House, PA, 19477, USA

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    1. Södersjukhuset, Karolinska Institutet Dept. Clinical Research & Education, Stockholm, Sweden

      Md. Shahidul Islam

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    Hinke, S.A. (2013). In Vivo Biomarkers for Detection of Beta Cell Death. In: Islam, M. (eds) Islets of Langerhans, 2. ed.. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6884-0_35-1

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    • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-6884-0_35-1

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