Supported by
The proposal focuses on a novel anti-diabetic regiment, liraglutide, recently introduced by Novo-Nordisk. Liraglutide is a long acting, fatty acid-derivative of GLP-1 that shares amino acid sequence identity to native human GLP-1 and ensures a prolonged period of action in vivo thus rendering liraglutide as a good candidate for diabetes treatment. The primary objective of the proposed program is to extrapolate the molecular mechanisms involved in preventing podocyte and β-cell apoptosis by assessing the mechanism of action of liraglutide on the expression patterns of specific long non-coding RNAs that sensitize podocytes and β-cells to apoptosis during the initial phases of the disease. Our secondary objective involves investigation of the mode of action of liraglutide on the process of regeneration of β-cells from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). The proposed work shall lead to a better understanding of specific aspects of liraglutide actions at the molecular level and is likely to promote the wider use of liraglutide not only as an anti-diabetic agent but as an important and novel contributor in regenerative medicine.
