# Mapping the association of beta cell longevity and cell senescence in type 1 diabetes

> **NIH NIH R03** · VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY · 2021 · $168,250

## Abstract

Project Summary
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by the functional collapse of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Most
beta cells in the healthy pancreas can be as old as cortical neurons and are classified as long-lived cells. During
T1D, beta cells become dysfunctional and/or are destroyed in an auto-immune reaction that can occur at any
age. A recent study has linked the onset of beta cell senescence in a sub-set of beta cells with a paracrine pro-
inflammatory response that exacerbates the functional impairment and death of T1D beta cells. Accordingly,
clearance of senescent T1D beta cells is sufficient to improve beta cell survival and prevent the onset of T1D.
Several studies now indicate the presence of beta cells in the pancreas of T1D patients, which indicates that
T1D beta cells could also be long-lived. In addition, this data suggests that specific beta cells can survive this
auto-immune attack and, thus, are able to survive for long periods in the human pancreas. However, it is currently
unknown how these beta cells survive in the harsh T1D environment. Their specific molecular profiles that may
predispose them for long-term survival also remain unknown. This project will establish both the longevity and
molecular signatures of T1D pancreatic beta cells through utilization of high-resolution transcriptional sequencing
and imaging technologies of individual beta cells in the pancreas of T1D mice and humans. The combination of
these complementary techniques will overlay this high-dimensional data containing cell structure and molecular
profiles at the transcriptional and proteome level with cell age and longevity. Understanding how long-lived beta
cells maintain their long-term function and health will lead to new methods to promote and preserve beta cell
function in T1D patients.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10264076
- **Project number:** 5R03DK127484-02
- **Recipient organization:** VANDERBILT UNIVERSITY
- **Principal Investigator:** Rafael Arrojo e Drigo
- **Activity code:** R03 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $168,250
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2020-09-16 → 2023-06-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10264076

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10264076, Mapping the association of beta cell longevity and cell senescence in type 1 diabetes (5R03DK127484-02). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-23 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10264076. Licensed CC0.

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