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SAVEBETA: Molecular pathways underlying decreased beta cell mass in diabetes mellitus

SAVEBETA is an integrated project funded by the the European Union's 6th Framework Programme (FP6) and coordinated by the Laboratory of Experimental Medicine at the Medical Faculty of the Université Libre de Bruxelles (ULB). The general objective of the project is to clarify the molecular mechanisms underlying decreased beta cell mass in both type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) diabetes mellitus. The reduction in pancreatic beta cell mass, caused by increased apoptosis and defective regeneration, is a key component of both T1D and T2D. Molecular signalling in the beta cells is decisive for their survival or death in diabetes. We hypothesize that crosstalk between key gene networks and insufficient protective responses triggers the apoptosis program and prevents regeneration. The SAVEBETA project aims to utilize functional genomics to identify pathways responsible for the reduction of beta cell mass in diabetes, and to use this knowledge to define targets for intervention to preserve beta cell mass.

The project has started on November 2007 and will continue during the next three years. It comprises 9 partners from Germany (Hannover Medical School), Belgium ( Université Libre de Bruxelles and Katholieke Universiteit Leuven), Finland (University of Helsinki), Great Britain (Babraham Institute and Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medecine), Israel (Hadassah University Hospital) and from Poland (Jagiellonian University).

Key words: diabetes mellitus, pancreatic beta cells, apoptosis, regeneration, cytokines, ER stress