Islet group

Research in the Islet group concentrates on islet cell identity, islet survival and function, and strategies in order to improve and expand beta-cell replacement therapy. The group started in 2006 when a human islet isolation laboratory was established in the LUMC followed by a clinical islet transplantation program in 2007. This enabled the focus on human islet cells. A strong collaboration exists with the de Koning group at the Hubrecht Institute. Several other national and international collaborations have been set up.

RECENT KEY PUBLICATIONS:

• A Single-Cell Transcriptome Atlas of the Human Pancreas. Muraro MJ*, Dharmadhikari G*, Grün D, Groen N, Dielen T, Jansen E, van Gurp L, Engelse MA, Carlotti F, de Koning EJ*, van Oudenaarden A*. Cell Syst. 2016 Sep 28
• Glycemic Stability Through Islet-After-Kidney Transplantation Using an Alemtuzumab-Based Induction Regimen and Long-Term Triple-Maintenance Immunosuppression. Nijhoff MF, Engelse MA, Dubbeld J, Braat AE, Ringers J, Roelen DL, van Erkel AR, Spijker HS, Bouwsma H, van der Boog PJ, de Fijter JW, Rabelink TJ, de Koning EJ. Am J Transplant. 2016 Jan;16(1):246-53
• Loss of β-Cell Identity Occurs in Type 2 Diabetes and Is Associated With Islet Amyloid Deposits. Spijker HS, Song H, Ellenbroek JH, Roefs MM, Engelse MA, Bos E, Koster AJ, Rabelink TJ, Hansen BC, Clark A, Carlotti F, de Koning EJ. Diabetes. 2015 Aug;64(8):2928-38
• Long-term ketogenic diet causes glucose intolerance and reduced β- and α-cell mass but no weight loss in mice. Ellenbroek JH, van Dijck L, Töns HA, Rabelink TJ, Carlotti F, Ballieux BE, de Koning EJ. Am J Physiol Endocrinol Metab. 2014 Mar 1;306(5):E552-E558
• Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist treatment reduces beta cell mass in normoglycaemic mice. Ellenbroek JH, Töns HA, Westerouen van Meeteren MJ, de Graaf N, Hanegraaf MA, Rabelink TJ, Carlotti F, de Koning EJ. Diabetologia. 2013 Sep;56(9):1980-6.
• Conversion of mature human β-cells into glucagon-producing α-cells. Spijker HS, Ravelli RB, Mommaas-Kienhuis AM, van Apeldoorn AA, Engelse MA, Zaldumbide A, Bonner-Weir S, Rabelink TJ, Hoeben RC, Clevers H, Mummery CL, Carlotti F, de Koning EJ. Diabetes. 2013 Jul;62(7):2471-80.