Characterization Of Novel Thioredoxin Interaction Protein Promoter By Using Adipose Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Chronic hyperglycemia is a known risk factor in type 1 diabetes (T1D) including pancreatic beta, renal and retinal cells. The transcriptional and tumor repressor, Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), is upregulated in diabetes and by high glucose in various tissues. TXNIP binds to and inhibits the anti-oxidant capacity of thioredoxin, causing oxidative stress and cell death. This process plays a causative role in diabetic complications. We investigated if the TXNIP-promoter can be linked with a therapeutic gene such as insulin and induce their expression under diabetic conditions. This study characterized the TXNIP-promoter linked genes when co-transfected into adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (ASCs). The results of the duel transfected ASCs with the TXNIP-promoter, PDX1 and insulin show a decrease in cellular apoptosis in ATP and MTT assays. This characterization study has important implications towards understanding the mechanism of the TXNIP-promoter’s cellular function and a future potential for reducing chronic hyperglycemia in diabetics