Author: Layla Rouse, MS

Presentation by:  Marlie Maestas, PhD Candidate, Washington University School of Medicine

Topics discussed:

• Analysis of single-cell sequencing of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and inflammatory stressed primary human islets
• Unique Islet Cell type responses identified
• Exocrine and endocrine tissues have differential responses to stress
• Changes in chromatin accessibility associated with type one diabetes
• CIB1 identified as a key regulator of islet function and stress response

Presentations by:   
Raghu Mirmira, MD, PhD, University of Chicago
Ernesto Nakayasu, PhD, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Emily Sims, MD, Indiana University School of Medicine

Topics discussed:
– A highly sensitive proteomics platform enables extracellular vesicle (EV) analysis from minimal plasma volumes.
– Proteomics analysis of auto-antibody positive plasma identifies potential biomarkers.
– Beta cell EVs carrying PD-L1 reduce CD8 T cell activation.
– Plasma EV PD-L1 cargo correlates with residual C-peptide in AAb+ individuals and in individuals with new-onset T1D

Presentations by:   
Saumya Das, MD, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital
Guoping Li, PhD, Massachusetts General Hospital
Lingfei Sun, Massachusetts General Hospital

Topics discussed:

• EVs and their molecular cargo’s as biomarkers in cardiometabolic diseases
• Improving EV diagnostics by identifying tissue-specific EV markers.
• How to use a bottom-up proteomic approach to identify tissue-specific EV markers
• Leveraging single cell RNAseq data to prioritize tissue-specific EV RNA cargo
• Towards a beta-cell specific EV marker for early diagnosis of T1D

Presentation by:     
Ashutosh Agarwal, PhD, University of Miami
Dan Huh, PhD, University of Pennsylvania
Chris Hughes, PhD, University of California, Irvine

Topics discussed:

• Why is there a futile cycle of cell division and death during the growth of the exocrine pancreas?
• Is this a general phenomenon in organ growth or a peculiarity of the pancreas?
• What is the significance of early postnatal beta cell death?