Gene discovery offers insights into preventing a common side effect of corticosteroid treatment in diabetes

A study led by researchers at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research shows for the first time how a gene called RELA, known to regulate inflammation, also plays an essential role in maintaining normal blood-sugar levels. The findings have implications for the prevention of steroid-induced diabetes, a temporary form of diabetes that affects up to half of hospital patients treated with high-dose steroids.

To better understand the mechanisms behind inflammation and how they may be better targeted, the Garvan-led researchers studied different genes that control inflammation in the body, using mouse models. They found a surprising effect – removing a gene called RELA, which helps regulate the expression of proteins involved in inflammation, led to abnormally high blood-sugar levels.

The researchers next investigated the cells lacking RELA using next-generation DNA analysis techniques.

Lead author Dr. Nathan Zammit said, “Interestingly, we found that the protein RELA produces directly switches on a genetic program required for cells in the pancreas to produce insulin. This indicated that even though inflammation and diabetes are known to be linked, RELA regulates blood sugar and inflammation completely independently. Our findings suggest that RELA plays an essential role in keeping blood-sugar levels normal, even when there is no inflammation.”

Reference: Dr. Nathan Zammit et al,Diabetologia, DOI 10.1007/s00125-023-05931-6