Researchers at the University of Birmingham have secured a £300,000 Development Award from the Cystic Fibrosis Trust to investigate whether stem cell-derived islet cell transplants could become a viable treatment for cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD).
With advances in medical care, people with cystic fibrosis are living longer. However, around half of them develop CFRD as they age. This condition occurs when damage to the pancreas impairs insulin-producing cells located in clusters called “islets.” The loss of these cells makes it difficult to regulate blood sugar levels.
Similar to type 1 diabetes, CFRD patients often require multiple daily insulin injections. However, managing CFRD alongside cystic fibrosis presents challenges. For instance, food absorption issues can lead to unpredictable blood sugar levels, while high blood sugar increases the risk of lung infections. Recent advancements in lab-grown islet cells for type 1 diabetes patients have spurred new possibilities.
Dr. Ildem Akerman, Associate Professor in Functional Genomics at the University of Birmingham, and Dr. Victoria Salem from King’s College London, are leading the project. They will examine if stem cells carrying the cystic fibrosis gene mutation can be used to grow healthy, functional islet cells in the lab.
By introducing the cystic fibrosis gene mutation into stem cells, researchers aim to understand how the mutation affects the development and function of pancreatic islet cells. This study could help determine if cystic fibrosis patients might benefit from stem cell therapies already being tested for type 1 diabetes. Unlike type 1 diabetes, CFRD is not linked to autoimmunity, meaning that in the future, cells could be grown from a patient’s own tissue, eliminating the need for immunosuppressive drugs.
“We believe that the tools we are developing to treat people with type 1 diabetes could also help those with CFRD. We’re excited to begin this project and use the infrastructure at BetaCell Birmingham to advance personalized, cell-based therapies for CFRD,” said Dr. Akerman.
Though the project does not involve actual transplants at this stage, it serves as a proof-of-concept study to determine if insulin-producing cells can be created in the lab from individuals with the cystic fibrosis gene mutation. Collaborators at King’s College London will investigate whether other types of cells from the patient’s blood can be used to improve the function and survival of the lab-grown islet cells in future transplants.
Researchers hope this work will ensure that CFRD patients are included in the next wave of cell-based treatments, bringing them closer to a long-term solution for the condition.
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