Turning on ATF6 in insulin-making beta cells: possible help and risks
Benefits and harms of activating ATF6 in beta cells
This project tests whether switching on a cell stress regulator called ATF6 in insulin-producing beta cells can help people with diabetes by increasing healthy insulin-making cells without causing harm.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New York, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11243483 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you have diabetes, researchers are using two new tools that can turn ATF6 on in insulin-producing beta cells either in lab-grown cells or in live mice with precise timing. Early work showed short-term ATF6 activation can boost beta cell survival and growth, but continuous activation for 14 days caused beta cell dysfunction and worse blood sugar control. The team will map which molecular changes lead to benefit versus harm and test different activation schedules to find safer ways to promote healthy beta cells. Successful findings could guide future therapies aimed at preserving or restoring insulin production.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with diabetes linked to loss or dysfunction of beta cells—including some forms of type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes with beta cell failure, or certain monogenic diabetes—would be the most relevant candidates for future therapies informed by this research.
Not a fit: People whose diabetes is driven mainly by insulin resistance without significant beta cell loss, or whose condition has unrelated causes, are less likely to benefit from ATF6-directed approaches.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could point to ways to increase functioning insulin-producing beta cells and improve blood sugar control for people with diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Laboratory studies have shown ATF6 can protect and stimulate beta cells, but continuous activation has also caused dysfunction in early mouse experiments, so the approach is promising but not yet proven safe or effective.
Where this research is happening
New York, United States
- Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ — New York, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Alonso, Laura C — Weill Medical Coll of Cornell Univ
- Study coordinator: Alonso, Laura C
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 below.