Assessment of Beta Cell Small Extracellular Vesicles in the Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes

The long term objective of this proposal is to 1) identify new ways to improve overall beta cell health in Type 1 diabetes (T1D) and 2) identify a non-invasive biomarker to detect early onset beta cell dysfunction/stress in T1D. This proposal will exploit the idea of altered beta cell-to-beta cell communication mediated by small extracellular vesicles (EVs) and their pathophysiological role in mediating beta cell dysfunction. Moreover, we will assess the use of circulating beta cell-derived EVs as a novel means to monitor progressing beta cell failure. The findings of this study will provide tremendous insight into the pathophysiology of T1D with the goal of utilizing this knowledge to devise new therapeutic modalities and biomarkers for T1D.