RNA editing and immune signals in pancreatic islet cells
Official title: RNA editing in islet function and inflammation
Funded at Vanderbilt University Medical Center · NIH-11617682 · Data updated 2026-11-12
A study at Vanderbilt aims to understand how a cellular process called RNA editing affects immune responses in insulin-producing islet cells, potentially linking it to inflammation and type 1 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vanderbilt University Medical Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Nashville, United States) |
| Project start | May 22, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $167,927 |
| NIH project number | 3R01DK133442-04S2 |
| Project ID | NIH-11617682 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with or at risk for type 1 diabetes or related islet inflammation may benefit from insights, but the study is primarily laboratory-based.
✕Less likely to help
Healthy individuals without islet inflammation or diabetes may not directly benefit.
What this research studies
This project looks at how RNA editing by ADAR enzymes influences islet cell health, especially alpha and beta cells. The researchers will explore how endogenous double-stranded RNA might trigger antiviral pathways and inflammation in the pancreas. They want to see whether impaired RNA editing leads to beta cell dysfunction and possibly autoimmune attack. The work combines molecular biology with findings from human islet biology to connect RNA editing with immune signaling relevant to diabetes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the work could identify new targets to protect islet cells from inflammation and improve approaches for preventing or treating autoimmune diabetes.
How similar studies have gone: This approach builds on emerging links between RNA editing and immune signaling; prior work suggests this pathway is relevant but still exploratory.
Where this research is happening
-
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Powers, Alvin C — Vanderbilt University Medical Center
- Study coordinator: Powers, Alvin C
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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.