Diabetes
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Type 1 diabetic patients are diagnosed when beta-cell destruction is almost complete. Reversal of type 1 diabetes will require beta-cell regeneration from islet cell precursors and prevention of recurring autoimmunity. IGF-I expression in beta-cells of streptozotocin (STZ)-treated transgenic mice regenerates the endocrine pancreas by increasing beta-cell replication and neogenesis. ⋯ They also presented similar pancreatic insulin content and beta-cell mass to healthy mice. Thus, local expression of IGF-I prevented islet infiltration and beta-cell death in mice with increased susceptibility to diabetes. These results indicate that pancreatic expression of IGF-I may regenerate and protect beta-cell mass in type 1 diabetes.