Speakers - DEWC2025

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease that leads to the destruction of insulin-producing β-cells. One emerging therapeutic target is irisin, an exercise-related hormone that has shown promise in enhancing intestinal barrier function and reducing autoimmune responses. In this study, we investigated the role of irisin in delaying T1D onset in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice by improving colon intestinal barrier function. Our results demonstrated that irisin supplementation significantly reduced diabetes incidence by enhancing intestinal barrier integrity, reducing intestinal permeability, and modulating microbiota composition. Mechanistically, irisin upregulated tight junction proteins through the AMPK/PI3K/AKT pathway, with FAM120A playing a pivotal role. Single-cell RNA sequencing further revealed that irisin restored epithelial cell cluster function and reduced islet inflammation. These findings suggest that irisin, by mimicking exercise-induced protective mechanisms, has potential as a therapeutic agent for preventing T1D.