@article{5572ceef11284997ac1bd3e528c82eac,
title = "MicroRNAs in islet immunobiology and transplantation",
abstract = "The ultimate goal of diabetes therapy is the restoration of physiologic metabolic control. For type 1 diabetes, research efforts are focused on the prevention or early intervention to halt the autoimmune process and preserve β cell function. Replacement of pancreatic β cells via islet transplantation reestablishes physiologic β cell function in patients with diabetes. Emerging research shows that microRNAs (miRNAs), noncoding small RNA molecules produced by a newly discovered class of genes, negatively regulate gene expression. MiRNAs recognize and bind to partially complementary sequences of target messenger RNA (mRNA), regulating mRNA translation and affecting gene expression. Correlation between miRNA signatures and genome-wide RNA expression allows identification of multiple miRNA-mRNA pairs in biological processes. Because miRNAs target functionally related genes, they represent an exciting and indispensable approach for biomarkers and drug discovery. We are studying the role of miRNA in the context of islet immunobiology. Our research aims at understanding the mechanisms underlying pancreatic β cell loss and developing clinically relevant approaches for preservation and restoration of β cell function to treat insulin-dependent diabetes. Herein, we discuss some of our recent efforts related to the study of miRNA in islet inflammation and islet engraftment. Our working hypothesis is that modulation of the expression of specific microRNAs in the transplant microenvironment will be of assistance in enhancing islet engraftment and promoting long-term function.",
keywords = "Autoimmunity, Bioengineering, Bioinformatics, Biomarker, Cell transplantation, Cellular therapies, Diabetes, Diabetes mellitus, Engraftment, Implantable device, Inflammation, Innate immunity, Islet transplantation, MicroRNA, Molecular target, Neovascularization, Rejection, Tissue engineering, Transplant microenvironment, Type 1 diabetes",
author = "Antonello Pileggi and Dagmar Klein and Carmen Fotino and Valia Bravo-Ega{\~n}a and Samuel Rosero and Marco Doni and Michele Podetta and Camillo Ricordi and Molano, {R. Damaris} and Pastori, {Ricardo L.}",
note = "Funding Information: Acknowledgments Invaluable assistance was obtained through the Diabetes Research Institute{\textquoteright}s Cores (Preclinical Cell Processing & Translational Models, Human cGMP Cell Processing, Imaging, Flow Cytometry, Histology, and Administrative). Procedures involving animals were performed under protocols approved and monitored by the University of Miami IACUC under an Animal Welfare Assurance on file (A-3224-01, effective 12/4/02) with the Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW), National Institutes of Health, and full accreditation by the Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care. Human islets were obtained through NIH-NCRR Islet Cell Resources (ICR) and subsequently from the Integrated Islet Distribution Program (IIDP). The biohybrid device was designed and manufactured by Biorep, Inc. (Miami, FL). This work was supported in part by grants from the American Diabetes Association (7-13-IN-32; A.P. and R.L.P.), the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International (17-2012-361, 17-2010-5, 4-2008-811, 4-2004-361, to C.R., A.P. and R.L.P.), The Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, the National Institutes of Health (5U19AI050864-10 to A.P.; U01DK089538 to A.P.; 5U42RR016603-08S1 to C.R.; 1U01DK70460-02 to C.R.; 5R01DK25802-24 to C.R.; 5R01DK56953-05 to C.R.), the University of Miami Interdisciplinary Research Development Initiative (A.P.), the Karasik Foundation (R.L.P.) and the Peacock Foundation (R.L.P.), and by a postdoctoral minority fellowship from the American Diabetes Association (R.L.P.), the Diabetes Research Institute Foundation (to A.P., C.R. and R.L.P.) and Converge Biotech (A.P. and C.R.). The funding agencies had no role in the design and conduct of the study, collection, management, analysis and interpretation of the data, content, presentation, decision to publish or preparation of the manuscript.",
year = "2013",
month = dec,
doi = "10.1007/s12026-013-8436-5",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "57",
pages = "185--196",
journal = "Immunologic Research",
issn = "0257-277X",
publisher = "Humana Press",
number = "1-3",
}