Alpha cells transdifferentiate into delta cells during the progression of autoimmunity in nondiabetic NOD mice

The NOD mouse is widely used as an T1D animal model. Although the mice have the same genetic background, approximately 20% of female NOD mice do not develop diabetes. In this study, we reveal that alpha cells dedifferentiate and then transdifferentiate into delta cells during the progression of autoimmunity in nondiabetic NOD mice. The increased delta cells secrete more somatostatin, which inhibits alpha cell secretion of glucagon, thereby potentially attenuating the increase in blood glucose levels in these mice.