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Project

Glucose-induced cell signaling in pancreatic ß cells during pregnancy: mechanisms of adaptation and implication for gestational diabetes

Glucose homeostasis in the body is determined by insulin secretion by pancreatic ß cells and glucose uptake in response to insulin. Pregnancy is a profound challenge for glucose homeostasis of the female body. Though a large amount of data indicates that pregnancy hormones change properties and gene expression of insulin secreting pancreatic ß cells, hardly any data describes the adaptations in glucose induced cell signalling in the ß cell during pregnancy. This is important, as insight in these adaptations can teach us how exactly the ß cell can adapt to the increased insulin resistance of the pregnant female body, and it can provide us insight in the mechanisms of gestational diabetes. Gestational diabetes occurs when the pregnancy induced adaption of insulin secretion is insufficient. Thus, we propose a project in which we will study the electrophysiological and functional signalling adaptations of pancreatic ß cells from pregnant mice. We have found already that TRP channels might play an essential role in the adaptations. Thus we will elaborate the role of TRPM4 and TRPM5 in the pregnant islet, and test their potential as drug targets in the treatment of mouse models of gestational diabetes. Thus, we aim to increase our insight in the mechanisms of pregnancy diabetes and provide a novel type of therapy.

Date:1 Jan 2020 →  31 Dec 2023
Keywords:glucose homeostasis, pregnancy diabetes, pancreatic ß cells
Disciplines:Organ physiology, Molecular physiology, Cell physiology