Exploring lncRNAs associated with human pancreatic islet cell death induced by transfer of adoptive lymphocytes in a humanized mouse model.

Background: Long noncoding RNA (lncRNA)-mediated posttranscriptional and epigenetic landscapes of gene regulation are associated with numerous human diseases. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing human β-cell function and survival remain unknown. Owing to technical and ethical constraints, studying the direct role of lncRNAs in β-cell function and survival in humans is difficult.

Circulating miRNA-150-5p is associated with immune-mediated early β-cell loss in a humanized mouse model.

Background: Aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression levels are associated with various graft rejections. We used our humanized mouse model with transplanted human islets to identify miRNAs in islet grafts related to xenograft rejection and circulating miRNAs associated with xenograft rejection-mediated β-cell loss.

Methods: Diabetic immunodeficient NOD.

Alterations of pancreatic islet structure, metabolism and gene expression in diet-induced obese C57BL/6J mice.

The reduction of functional β cell mass is a key feature of type 2 diabetes. Here, we studied metabolic functions and islet gene expression profiles of C57BL/6J mice with naturally occurring nicotinamide nucleotide transhydrogenase (NNT) deletion mutation, a widely used model of diet-induced obesity and diabetes. On high fat diet (HF), the mice developed obesity and hyperinsulinemia, while blood glucose levels were only mildly elevated indicating a substantial capacity to compensate for insulin resistance.