How protein clumps in the pancreas harm insulin-making cells
Official title: Pathogenesis and Impact of Islet Amyloid
Funded at VA Puget Sound Healthcare System · NIH-11264799 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are trying to understand why sticky protein clumps form in the pancreas and how they damage the insulin-producing cells that are important in type 2 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | VA Puget Sound Healthcare System NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | April 1, 2011 |
| Project end | December 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| NIH project number | 5I01BX001060-14 |
| Project ID | NIH-11264799 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with type 2 diabetes, especially those in earlier stages or with signs of declining insulin secretion, would be most connected to this work.
✕Less likely to help
People with type 1 diabetes, gestational diabetes, or those without beta-cell problems are less likely to benefit directly from these findings.
What this research studies
From my point of view, this work focuses on a peptide called IAPP that can clump into amyloid deposits in the pancreas and lead to loss of insulin-producing beta cells. The team studies how these clumps cause mitochondrial damage and oxidative stress, and how excess cholesterol inside beta cells might make that damage worse. They are measuring mitochondrial function, cholesterol transport proteins like StAR, and cell survival using lab models and human-derived samples. The aim is to find specific steps that could be targeted to protect beta cells in people with type 2 diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could point to new ways to protect beta cells and slow or prevent worsening of type 2 diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown IAPP amyloid can damage beta cells, but targeting mitochondrial cholesterol and StAR is a newer approach that has not yet been proven in patients.
Where this research is happening
-
VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Januszewski, Pandora Luke — VA Puget Sound Healthcare System
- Study coordinator: Januszewski, Pandora Luke
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About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.