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Stimulation of rodent and human beta-cell proliferation using synthetic modified mRNAs encoding cell cycle regulators

Koblas, T.; Bittenglova, K.; Abaffy, P.; Zacharovova, K.; Girman, P.; Valihrach, L.; Kriz, J.; Saudek, F.

2026-08-24 bioengineering
10.64898/2026.08.21.746224 bioRxiv
Show abstract

Pancreatic beta cells exhibit marked resistance to proliferation, posing a barrier to therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring beta-cell mass in diabetes. Here, we present a transient, non-integrative approach to stimulate beta-cell proliferation using in vitro transcribed (IVT) mRNAs encoding cell cycle regulators. In rodent beta cells and human-beta cell derived EndoC-BH5 cells, chemically modified IVT mRNAs activated cell cycle entry and subsequent mitosis. A single dose of cyclin D1 and CDK4 IVT mRNAs nearly doubled the number of rat beta cells. However, achieving cell division in human beta cells required co-delivery of MYC IVT mRNA. The mitogenic response of beta cells peaked within 36-60 hours, and declined thereafter, reflecting the transient nature of IVT mRNA. Transcriptomic profiling revealed temporary activation of proliferative pathways and reversible downregulation of beta-cell maturation markers. Importantly, we detected no evidence of sustained proliferation. Our findings demonstrate that mRNA-based delivery of cell cycle regulators can overcome the intrinsic cell cycle block in beta cells and may provide a controllable approach for beta-cell regeneration.

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