Findings from Veterans Affairs Medical Center Broaden Understanding of Type 2 Diabetes (The Islet Tissue Plasminogen Activator/plasmin System Is Upregulated With Human Islet Amyloid Polypeptide Aggregation and Protects Beta Cells From...).

A recent study conducted at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Seattle, Washington has found that the tissue plasminogen activator (tPA)/plasmin system, which is involved in blood clotting, may also play a role in protecting beta cells from the toxic effects of amyloid aggregation in type 2 diabetes. The researchers observed an increase in the expression of tPA and plasmin activity in islets with amyloid deposition, and found that plasmin could degrade amyloid and restore cell viability in beta cells. These findings suggest that increasing islet plasmin activity could be a potential strategy to prevent beta cell loss in type 2 diabetes. The study was funded by various organizations including the National Institutes of Health and the American Diabetes Association. [Extracted from the article]