Jing Hughes, MD, PhD

Research Interest

Signal Transduction/Hormone Action

Islet Biology and Immunology

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Category(ies) of Research

Basic

Translational

Descriptor of Research

We study islet cell-cell interactions and the regulation of islet hormone secretion. Our previous research showed that beta cell-macrophage interactions enhance autoimmune antigen presentation and may be a trigger for type 1 diabetes. To investigate the cellular mechanism underlying this observation, we are examining the various intercellular junctions using advanced microscopy. Furthermore, we are actively searching for factors involved in modulating islet hormone secretion, which may represent new therapeutic targets to ameliorate hyperglycemia. These studies will advance our understanding of intercellular signaling dynamics in diabetes.