Relationship between the number of insulin-producing cells in the thymus and cellular stress markers in experimental diabetes mellitus

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DOI: 10.22138/2500-0918-2026-23-3-389-398

D.A. Tukanov

Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation

Abstract

Introduction. Insulin-producing cells (IPCs) appear in the thymus in diabetes mellitus (DM), yet their association with systemic markers of cellular stress remains poorly understood. Aim. To evaluate the dynamics of IPCs in the thymus and its relationship with stress markers (HMGB1, TNF-α, TGF-β) in experimental diabetes mellitus (DM) modeling type 1 DM (EDM1) (alloxan model) and experimental DM modeling type 2 DM (EDM2) (streptozotocin-nicotinamide model) on day 30 (EDM(30)) and day 60 (EDM(60)) in rats. Methods. The number of IPCs was assessed immunohistochemically. HMGB1 levels were measured in blood plasma, while TNF-α and TGF-β were measured in thymus homogenates. Statistical analysis included the Kruskal–Wallis test and Spearman's rank correlation. Results. IPC counts increased in both diabetes types, reaching a maximum in the EDM2(60) group. At day 30, no differences were observed between EDM1 and EDM2. Stress marker levels exhibited model-specific dynamics: HMGB1 did not increase in EDM1(30) but was elevated in EDM2(30); TNF-α peaked in EDM2(30) and EDM1(60); TGF-β increased only in EDM2(30), with a decline by day 60. Negative correlations were found between IPCs and all stress markers, with the strongest associations for TGF-β (significant across all diabetic groups). Conclusion. Diabetes onset is associated with increased IPCs in the thymus, yet the dynamics depend on the type and duration of diabetes. Negative correlations suggest that pro-inflammatory mediators suppress IPCs. The thymus is a dynamic organ sensitive to the type of diabetic injury.

Keywords: insulin-producing cells, cellular stress, diabetes mellitus, thymus

There is no conflict of interest.

Contact details of the corresponding author

Danil A. Tukanov
danil_tukanov@mail.ru
Received: 30.06.2026

For citation

Tukanov D.A. Relationship between the number of insulin-producing cells in the thymus and cellular stress markers in experimental diabetes mellitus. Journal of Ural Medical Academic Science. 2026, Vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 389-398. DOI: 10.22138/2500-0918-2026-23-3-389-398 (In Russ)

Funding

The work was carried out within the framework of the state assignment of the Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences (topic registration number 122020900136-4) using the equipment of the Center for Collective Use of the Institute of Immunology and Physiology, Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences.

Acknowledgements

To the scientific supervisor, Cand. Sci. (Biol.) Sokolova K.V., for assistance in conducting the research.

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Authors

Danil A. Tukanov
Postgraduate Student
Institute of Immunology and Physiology of the Ural Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences
danil_tukanov@mail.ru
ORCID ID: 0009-0002-1197-5885
Yekaterinburg, Russian Federation

 
 
 

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