We demonstrated in 2019 (J. Biol. Chem.) and 2020 (Am. J. Physiol.) that peroxiredoxins, thioredoxin, and thioredoxin reductase are essential antioxidants in pancreatic β-cells. They protect these cells from oxidants like hydrogen peroxide and peroxynitrite.
Our 2022 publication in Function demonstrated that inhibition or deletion of thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) blunts insulin secretion and decreases expression of identity factors in β-cells.
We want to understand the relationship between the TrxR pathway and β-cell function and identity and determine if impairment of this pathway is related to the decline of β-cell function in type 2 diabetes.
One branch of this project focuses on TrxR1 and the other branch focuses on Prx1.
To explore this pathway, we utilize both pharmacological and genetic tools in an insulinoma cell line, primary mouse and human pancreatic islets, and mouse models.
We want to understand the relationship between the TrxR pathway and β-cell function and identity and determine if impairment of this pathway is related to the decline of β-cell function in type 2 diabetes.
One branch of this project focuses on TrxR1 and the other branch focuses on Prx1.
To explore this pathway, we utilize both pharmacological and genetic tools in an insulinoma cell line, primary mouse and human pancreatic islets, and mouse models.