![Hepatitis C Virus Can Infect Pancreatic Islet Cells]()
Up to 10 percent of patients with hepatitis C also have type 2 diabetes, but the association between the virus infection and diabetes is not well understood. A pilot study conducted by Yaron Tomer, M.D., and colleagues and published online on December 20 in Virology Journal found that HCV not only infects liver cells but can also infect in vitro pancreatic islet cells, including the cells that secrete insulin. The findings suggest that HCV infection of pancreatic islet cells alters the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokine proteins, which may contribute to the insulin deficiency that can lead to diabetes. Further research is needed to show whether curing hepatitis C can also improve or reverse type 2 diabetes. Dr. Tomer is the Anita and Jack Saltz Chair in Diabetes Research, professor and chair of medicine and is professor of microbiology & immunology.
Posted on: Friday, December 22, 2017