Targeting aging in insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells
Official title: Elucidating and targeting beta-cell senescence and its SASP
Funded at Joslin Diabetes Center · NIH-11324927 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This project looks at whether removing or blocking harmful signals from aged insulin-making cells can help people with type 2 diabetes keep their blood sugar under control.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Joslin Diabetes Center NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Boston, United States) |
| Project start | May 10, 2022 |
| Project end | April 30, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $427,500 |
| NIH project number | 5R01DK132535-05 |
| Project ID | NIH-11324927 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adults with type 2 diabetes or prediabetes driven by insulin resistance and beta-cell dysfunction would be the most likely candidates for related clinical trials.
✕Less likely to help
People with type 1 diabetes caused by autoimmune destruction of beta cells or those whose diabetes is unrelated to beta-cell aging may not benefit from these approaches.
What this research studies
From a patient's view, this work studies how insulin-producing beta cells age and release harmful signals that may harm their function. Researchers use mouse models and human beta cells and apply genetic tools to change key aging markers (like p21 and p16) and test drugs that remove senescent cells or block their signals. They track effects on beta-cell identity, insulin secretion, and blood glucose control to see which approaches restore healthy cell function. The goal is to find the best therapeutic strategy that could be moved into human testing.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could restore beta-cell function and help people with type 2 diabetes maintain better blood sugar control.
How similar studies have gone: Animal studies and early lab work on human cells have shown that clearing senescent beta cells can improve blood glucose and cell function, but clinical proof in people is still limited.
Where this research is happening
-
Joslin Diabetes Center
Boston, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Aguayo-Mazzucato, Cristina — Joslin Diabetes Center
- Study coordinator: Aguayo-Mazzucato, Cristina
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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.