Researchers make blood vessels from people with diabetes in world-first study

In a groundbreaking discovery, published in the journal Stem Cells, a team of researchers from Queen’s University Belfast has successfully grown a mini version of human blood vessels from people with diabetes, in the lab. This breakthrough advances research of the disease by providing a new way for scientists to study how diabetes impacts blood vessels, potentially leading to the development of new treatments.

The research team, led by Professor Andriana Margariti from the Wellcome-Wolfson Institute for Experimental Medicine (WWIEM) at Queen’s University Belfast, also discovered how blood vessels in people with diabetes become damaged. Diabetes can damage blood vessels due to high blood sugar levels, leading to a build up of fats, cholesterol and other substances in and on the artery walls, which significantly increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes. This damage impairs blood flow and nutrient delivery, contributing to severe cardiovascular diseases.

The team identified a special small number of vascular cells present more in the blood vessels of people with diabetes that contribute to this damage, which can lead to severe complications such as heart disease and blindness. By reducing diabetic complications such as cardiovascular disease and the risk of amputations, individuals with diabetes will experience significant health benefits and an improved quality of life in the near future.

This research breakthrough is expected to enhance our understanding of diabetes and drive the development of potential new therapies soon. These advancements are hoped to have a profound impact on the quality of life for people with diabetes in Northern Ireland, the UK, and globally.

Professor Andriana Margariti, commented, "Our research is of paramount importance as it sheds new light on how diabetes damages blood vessels, leading to serious health issues like cardiovascular disease. This opens new possibilities for developing targeted therapies that can significantly improve the lives of people with diabetes. This discovery is revolutionary, as it not only enhances our understanding of diabetes, but also has the potential to significantly reduce the need for animal testing in research as these human models can serve as effective replacements."

The research was funded by the Medical Research Council (MRC), the British Heart Foundation, and the Northern Ireland Department for the Economy.

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