Proteomic analysis of pancreata from mini-pigs treated with streptozotocin as type I diabetes models

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease characterized by extreme insulin deficiency due to an overall reduction in the mass of functional pancreatic β-cells. Several animal models have been used to study T1DM. Amongst these, the mini-pig seems to be the most ideal model for diabetes research, owing to similarities with humans in anatomy and physiology. The purpose of this study was to analyze differentially expressed pancreatic proteins in a streptozotocin (STZ)-induced mini-pig T1DM model. Pancreas proteins from mini-pigs treated with STZ were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and 11 protein spots were found to be altered significantly when compared with control mini-pigs. The data in this study utilizing proteomic analysis provide a valuable resource for the further understanding of the T1DM pathomechanism.