Epigenetic Control of Pancreatic Regeneration in Diabetes

Abstract

Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are conditions that are associated with the loss of insulin-producing β-cells within the pancreas. An active research therefore aims at regenerating these β-cells with the hope that they could restore euglycemia. The approaches classically used consist in mimicking embryonic development, making use of diverse cell sources or converting pre-existing pancreatic cells. Despite impressive progresses and promising successes, it appears that we still need to gain further insight into the molecular mechanisms underlying β-cell development. This becomes even more obvious with the emergence of a relatively new field of research, epigenetics. The current review therefore focuses on the latest advances in this field in the context of β-cell (neo-)genesis research.

RETRACTED: Roles of Epigenetic Modifications in the Differentiation and Function of Pancreatic β-Cells

“…The development process of β cells from multipotent progenitors can be successfully recapitulated only partially in vitro to generate pancreatic progenitors and functional β cells in cell replacement therapy for treating diabetes. Thus, the epigenomic study of pancreatic islets cells has become a necessity to overcome the barriers that restrict lineage plasticity and is an exciting prospect for the future development of successful β-cell differentiation strategies (Balaji et al, 2018 ; Lv and Huang, 2019 ; Scarpa, 2019 ; Gong and Jiang, 2020 ). Dissecting the epigenetic components of islet cell-specific transcriptional networks would contribute to induce and maintain appropriate endocrine lineage commitment from embryonic stem cells or induced pluripotent cells.…”

“…The most studied types of histone modifications are acetylation and methylation of specific amino acid residues of histones H3 and H4 ( Figure 2 ). Related research shows that during the differentiation and development of β cells, histone modification plays an important regulatory role and can recruit protein complexes to participate in the regulation of the expression of related genes in β cells (Ahmed et al, 2017 ; Balaji et al, 2018 ; Makkar et al, 2020 ).…”

“… Molecular mechanism of histone modification (Ahmed et al, 2017 ; Balaji et al, 2018 ; Makkar et al, 2020 ). (A) The histone acetylation process consists of HATs and HDACs.…”

Advances in Genetics of Regeneration in Metabesity

“…This Special Issue contains a series of new reviews and original research articles providing advances in this exciting field, highlighting some genes and processes that show potential in contributing to the development of new approaches for tackling metabesity. One such process is epigenetic regulation which, in the context of pancreatic regeneration in diabetes, is concisely but at the same time accurately reviewed by Dr. Collombat and co-workers [1]. Current research on this hot topic is unravelling a crucial role of epigenetics and epigenetic regulators during pancreas development; interestingly, the epigenetic signature is modified in obesity and T2D [1].…”

“…One such process is epigenetic regulation which, in the context of pancreatic regeneration in diabetes, is concisely but at the same time accurately reviewed by Dr. Collombat and co-workers [1]. Current research on this hot topic is unravelling a crucial role of epigenetics and epigenetic regulators during pancreas development; interestingly, the epigenetic signature is modified in obesity and T2D [1]. Of note, this kind of alteration not only induces a loss of identity and, consequently, function in beta and alpha cells but also seems to be present in adipocytes contributing to insulin resistance [1].…”