GSE162689
A histological and transcriptional characterization of the pancreatic acinar tissue in type 1 diabetes
Despite reduced function and volume of the exocrine pancreas in type 1 diabetes, literature describing the histology and the molecular biological profile in this area is limited. Here, the density of acinar cells was examined adjacent to and at varying distances from islets and the transcriptome was analyzed on laser capture microdissected (LCM) tissue from organ donors with and without type 1 diabetes. We demonstrate preserved acinar nuclei density in type 1 diabetes and find no support of acinar atrophy in pancreata devoid of insulin. The density of acinar nuclei was unaltered in type 1 diabetes. Principal component analysis of the transcriptomes of acinar tissue extracted from various areas of the pancreas showed no apparent clustering based on disease status, and few differentially expressed genes were discovered. However, when performing GSEA, transcriptional alterations were present in the acinar tissue independently of the distance from islets. Two gene sets were enriched in all exocrine regions; Myc Targets V2 and Estrogen Response Early. The alteration of these is a possible link to the increased incidence of pancreatic cancer in type 1 diabetes. Taken together, these new data shed light on the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes and its involvement of the entire pancreas. Overall design: Transcriptome analysis of  7 type 1 diabetic donors and 8 matched non-diabetic control donors.