Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41886504›Full record

ArticleStem cells translational medicine2026

Whole-genome CRISPR screening identifies genetic modifiers of stem cell-derived islet transplantation.

Marlie M Maestas, Kameron Bradley, Mira Shunkarova, Noyonika Mukherjee, Matthew Ishahak, James Lu, Jeffrey R Millman

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Stem cells translational medicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Marlie M MaestasRoy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States.
Kameron BradleyDivision of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States.
Mira ShunkarovaDivision of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States.
Noyonika MukherjeeDivision of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States.
Matthew IshahakDivision of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States.
James LuDivision of Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Lipid Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States.
Jeffrey R MillmanRoy and Diana Vagelos Division of Biology and Biomedical Sciences, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO 63110, United States.ORCID 0000-0003-0426-3492

Funding

WU P&FP30DK020579 · NIDDK · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · PI Clay F. Semenkovich · 2013 to 2026
$27.1M
DIABETES &RELATED METABOLIC DISEASEST32DK007120 · NIDDK · WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY · PI MARCO COLONNA, Maria Sara Remedi · 1986 to 2026
$15.7M
Studying the mechanisms of initiation and progression of Beta cell death in T1DUG3DK142188 · NIDDK · SCRIPPS RESEARCH INSTITUTE, THE · PI CHRISTOPHER C. W. HUGHES, Jeffrey Robert Millman · 2025 to 2026
$2.4M
Anita Palmer Corbin TrustBeatson Foundation 2022-001Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation through the Gates Millennium Scholars ProgramCellular and Molecular Biology Training T32GM139774Edward J. Mallinckrodt FoundationNational Institutes of Health (NIH) UG3DK142188NIDDK NIH HHS P30 DK020579NIH HHS T32DK007120Rita Levi-Montalcini Postdoctoral Fellowship in Regenerative -MedicineRita Levi-Montalcini Postdoctoral Fellowship in Regenerative MedicineWashington University School of Medicine Department of Medicine
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

introductionGenetically engineering human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived islets is a promising strategy for improving transplantation for diabetes cell therapy; however, genetic perturbations that modulate transplantation outcomes have yet to be systematically explored.

methodsTo identify potential targets, we performed an unbiased whole-genome CRISPR-activation screen in transplanted stem cell-derived islets (SC-islets). Specifically, we created a stem cell line with CRISPR-activation components (HUES8-VPR) and then transduced these stem cells with a lentiviral guide RNA library targeting the whole human genome. Following transduction, the stem cells were differentiated into SC-islets, which were subsequently transplanted into NOD.Cg-PrkdcscidIl2rgtm1Wjl/SzJ (NSG) immunodeficient mice. After transplantation, SC-islets were extracted for next-generation sequencing.

resultsThe screen identified multiple candidates, including the Fc alpha/mu receptor (FCAMR). In vitro characterization revealed that FCAMR overexpression did not negatively affect SC-islet function or transcriptomic identity. Mice subcutaneously transplanted with SC-islets overexpressing FCAMR had reduced blood glucose levels and increased C-peptide compared to controls. Additionally, mice receiving FCAMR-modified grafts into the kidney capsule or hindleg muscle maintained a higher body weight compared to controls in a diabetic setting.

conclusionsIn conclusion, this study demonstrats improved glucose regulation at a subcutaneous transplant site. In addition, we show that FCAMR SC-islets could play a role in systemic metabolism when transplanted into the kidney capsule or hindleg muscle. Overall, our study establishes a functional screening approach to identify gene candidates to improve SC-islet transplantation.

Indexed as

Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic RepeatsIslets of Langerhans TransplantationPluripotent Stem CellsAnimalsCell DifferentiationHumansMiceMice, Inbred NODMice, SCIDcell transplantationdevelopmental biologydiabetesdifferentiationembryonic stem cellspancreatic differentiationpluripotent stem cells

Identifiers

PMID41886504
PMCPMC13168893

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.