Diabetes mellitus, encompassing both Type 1 (T1D) and Type 2 diabetes (T2D), threatens human health on a global scale. Diabetes affects individuals of all ages, genders, and geographic locations, making it one of the most prevalent global causes of mortality and morbidity. T1D is characterized by loss of pancreatic β-cells due to autoimmune dysfunction, while T2D is a non-autoimmune progressive loss of insulin secretion from pancreatic β-cells under insulin resistance. Both T1D and T2D lead to clinical manifestations of hyperglycemia characterized by high blood sugar levels. Recent evidence implicates the role of inflammation in the pathophysiology of diabetes, highlighting the importance of identifying inflammatory biomarkers to prevent and control the disease. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are key drivers of immune response. In addition, the role of oxidative stress in diabetes progression and its effects on PBMC function have become an area of intense interest, given the contribution of reactive oxygen species to cellular damage, immune dysregulation, and metabolic complications in both T1D and T2D.

Despite their potential, PBMC-based studies in diabetes have not yet been comprehensively explored. This Research Topic aims to bridge the gap by focusing on the critical role of PBMCs in diabetes. We aim to highlight the importance of PBMCs in unraveling the immunological, transcriptomic, and metabolic profiles in diabetes and diabetes-related complications. Our goal is to explore immune cell phenotypes in PBMCs and their molecular, metabolic, and functional changes by employing advanced omic platforms such as single-cell RNA sequencing, proteomics, and metabolomics.

We welcome original research and review articles that address, but are not limited to, the following themes:

• Identification of biomarkers, molecular, and immune cell signatures in T1D and T2D

• Role of immune cells and their response in pancreatic islet autoimmunity and ß-cell destruction in T1D

• Contribution of functional changes in immune cells to drive inflammation and insulin resistance

• Impact of hyperglycemia on the metabolic reprogramming of PBMCs

• Evaluation of diabetes medications on the PBMC metabolism and inflammation

• Role of oxidative stress in PBMC dysfunction, immune activation, and diabetes complications

• Interplay between oxidative stress, inflammation, and metabolic pathways in PBMCs

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Molecular Signatures of Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cells in Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes: Pathophysiological Mechanisms, Biomarkers, and Therapeutics