Changes in Gene Expression of Selected Genes in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes and Pancreas Transplant in Peripheral Blood

Abstract Background Diabetes is an autoimmunologic disease that may have a different background. The aim of our study was to show that type 1 diabetes is accompanied by changes in gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. We analyzed the genes characteristic of pancreatic islet cells and genes playing a big part in autoimmune diseases and cancer. Design The study included 21 patients and was performed to examine the expression of 9 genes. The patients were divided into 3 research groups: people with type 1 diabetes, people with diabetes after pancreas transplant, and a control group of healthy patients. To assess the level of expression, RNA material was obtained from peripheral blood collected from individuals qualified for the study. Results The results of the study showed many interesting changes in the expression level of the analyzed genes. It was demonstrated that CASR gene expression was significantly higher in transplant patients than in diabetic patients. Differences in the level of activity are also noted in genes that take part in autoimmune diseases. Proposal Profiling gene expression in peripheral blood samples may be a useful and noninvasive diagnostic tool that allows early detection of changes leading to the onset or resumption of diabetes.