Contrast-enhanced ultrasound measurement of pancreatic blood flow dynamics predicts type 1 diabetes progression in preclinical models
Year: 2018
Type: article
Abstract: In type 1 diabetes (T1D), immune-cell infiltration into the islets of Langerhans (insulitis) and β-cell decline occurs many years before diabetes clinically presents. Non-invasively detecting insulitis and β-cell decline would allow the diagnosis of eventual diabetes, and provide a means to monitor therapeutic intervention. However, there is a lack of validated clinical approaches for specifically and non-invasively imaging disease progression leading to T1D. Islets have a denser microvasculature that reorganizes during diabetes. Here we apply contrast-enhanced ultrasound measurements of pancreatic blood-flow dynamics to non-invasively and predictively assess disease progression in T1D pre-clinical models. STZ-treated mice, NOD mice, and adoptive-transfer mice demonstrate altered islet blood-flow dynamics prior to diabetes onset, consistent with islet microvasculature reorganization. These assessments predict both time to diabetes onset and future responders to antiCD4-mediated disease prevention. Thus contrast-enhanced ultrasound measurements of pancreas blood-flow dynamics may provide a clinically deployable predictive marker for disease progression in pre-symptomatic T1D and therapeutic reversal.
Source: Nature Communications
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $6,990
Awards: Defining the role of altered cytokine signaling pathways on autoimmunity, Gap Junction Communication and Islet Function in Diabetes, Emergent Multi-Cellular Properties Regulating Pancreatic Islet Function, Prevention Center U01: Early Targets for Antigen-Specific Tolerance Induction in Preclinical Rheumatoid Arthritis, The role of gap junction coupling in regulating islet dysfunction in type2 diabetes, Cardiovascular Biomechanics and Imaging
OpenAlex ID: W2800400261