Developmental Control of DNA Damage Responses in α- and β-Cells Shapes the Selective β-Cell Susceptibility in Diabetes.

Varghese, Sneha S; Hernandez-De La Peña, Alessandro Giovanni; Wang, Liu; Ruiz, Victor; Tixi, Wilma; Pandey, Aparamita; Anchondo, Laura; Chiu, Amy et al. · Diabetes · 2026

basic_science · Level V

Where this comes from

Abstract

Mechanisms underlying the differential susceptibility of pancreatic β- and α-cells to diabetogenic stress remain unclear. We investigated whether replication, repair fidelity, and developmental epigenetic programs determine the vulnerability of postnatal β- and α-cells to DNA damage, a key driver of β-cell failure in diabetes. Replication introduces DNA damage vulnerability in both neonatal β- and α-cells, yet β-cells resolve damage more efficiently. Loss of DNA methyltransferase 3a in pancreatic progenitors selectively heightens β-cell DNA damage vulnerability that persists into adulthood. Moreover, diabetogenic stress preferentially compromises β-cell repair fidelity. These findings reveal how developmental programs shape β-cell resilience and may influence lifelong diabetes risk.