Beta cells are the insulin-making cells of the pancreas, clustered in the islets of Langerhans. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system destroys them. In type 2, years of insulin resistance and high blood sugar burn them out until insulin production dries up.
The pancreas is an endocrine gland (a gland that releases hormones into the blood). It makes two key hormones that control blood sugar: insulin and glucagon. Beta cells are special cells in the pancreas that make insulin. Why should you know about beta cells? Beta cells are linked to diabetes, which is a disease of insulin resistance. Beta cells sit in the islets of Langerhans (part of the pancreas). They are one of at least five different types of islet cells that release hormones straight into the blood. What is the role of beta cells? The main job of beta cells is to make insulin and release it into the bloodstream when needed. When blood sugar starts to rise (for example, when you eat a meal), beta cells respond quickly. They release insulin into the bloodstream to take up the incoming glucose and store it in cells. Beta cells also make more insulin as glucose in the blood rises. This fast response to a blood sugar spike usually takes about 10 minutes. In people with diabetes, though, these cells run into trouble. In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks or destroys them. In type 2 diabetes, they become resistant to the effects of insulin. What Are Amylin and C-peptide? Besides insulin, beta cells also make two other products: Amylin and C-peptide, a byproduct of making insulin.
- Amylin slows how fast glucose enters the blood. That makes it a short-term regulator of blood sugar levels.
- C-peptide prevents vascular neuropathy (nerve damage from poor blood supply). It also prevents damage to arteries. You may have noticed that people with severe diabetes have problems with their nerves and feeling, as well as their arteries. This is due to the loss of this molecule when beta cells are destroyed. C-peptide is released into the blood in equal amounts to insulin.
What happens to beta cells in diabetes?
Type 1 Diabetes
In this type of diabetes, beta cells die from an immune attack. Immune cells that normally fight harmful bacteria and viruses destroy beta cells in the pancreas by mistake. How and why that happens is not clear. However, the results of a study published in early 2011 show that these beta cells become stressed at the earliest stages of the illness. In mouse studies, cells respond to this stress by setting off a death pathway. That leads to the loss of beta-cell function, and in the end the loss of cell mass. Here, stress on beta cells from an immune attack may be responsible for type 1 diabetes, which mostly occurs in children. Type 1 diabetes has strong genetic links. Type 2 Diabetes In this type of diabetes, the body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin. It loses sensitivity to insulin over time. So the body tries to make up for it by producing more insulin. Research has shown that blood sugar that stays high for a long time (chronic hyperglycemia) will result in beta-cell burnout. This is also called cell turnover. The exact cause is unclear. However, factors such as chronic low-grade inflammation could be contributing significantly. Glucotoxicity (damage from a buildup of high glucose levels) is another factor as well. Other factors include the effects of lipoproteins, leptin, and cytokines, which play a role in controlling glucose. Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes The beta cells of the pancreas work as tightly linked clusters called islets. Their responses to rising blood sugar are coordinated by small groups of “leader cells.” Once blood sugar levels peak, the leader cells direct the other beta cells to launch the right response. It is possible that the leader cells are more metabolically active and more sensitive to glucose than the rest. They may be the main target for insulin resistance. Insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes starts with falling sensitivity to insulin. That leads the beta cells to overproduce insulin. As insulin resistance keeps rising, patients go on living with high blood glucose levels, and the effects reach far and wide. After a few years of sickness, the body’s own insulin production dries up, and patients need to start injecting insulin. New Drug To Stimulate Growth of Beta Cells Researchers from Mount Sinai Hospital have discovered a unique mix of medicines that makes beta cells grow. The lead author of the study, Andrew Stewart MD, said: “We have discovered a drug combination that makes beta cells regenerate at rates that are suitable for treatment. The next big hurdle is figuring out how to deliver them directly to the pancreas.” If beta cells can be made to regrow, then insulin resistance will no longer be a wall that diabetics cannot get past. If this new treatment is put to use, it can bring the breakthrough diabetes care has long needed.
Frequently asked questions
What do beta cells do in the body?
Beta cells make insulin and release it into the blood when blood sugar rises, such as during a meal. Insulin moves glucose out of the blood and into cells for storage. The response to a spike usually takes about 10 minutes. Beta cells also make amylin, which slows how fast glucose enters the blood. They also make C-peptide, a byproduct of making insulin.
Where are beta cells found?
Beta cells sit in the pancreas, inside clusters called the islets of Langerhans. They are one of at least five types of islet cells that release hormones straight into the blood. The islets work as tightly linked clusters. Small groups of “leader cells” direct how the other beta cells respond when blood sugar climbs.
What kills beta cells in the pancreas?
In type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks and destroys beta cells by mistake. In type 2 diabetes, years of insulin resistance and chronically high blood sugar burn them out. Glucotoxicity and chronic low-grade inflammation all add to the damage. So do the effects of lipoproteins, leptin and cytokines. After a few years, the body’s own insulin production dries up. Then insulin shots become necessary.
Can beta cells grow back?
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital found a drug combination that makes beta cells regenerate at rates suitable for treatment. The next hurdle is getting those drugs straight to the pancreas. Suppose beta cells can be made to regrow. Then insulin resistance would no longer be a wall that people with diabetes cannot get past. That would be the breakthrough diabetes treatment needs.
Related reading
- Is there a solution to rising insulin prices?
- Reactive Oxygen Species and Type 2 Diabetes
- What Causes Type 2 Diabetes
References
- Mayo Clinic: Type 2 diabetes. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-2-diabetes/symptoms-causes/syc-20351193
- Mayo Clinic: Type 1 diabetes. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/type-1-diabetes-in-children/symptoms-causes/syc-20355306
- NCBI (2008): Insulin signaling in the pancreatic beta-cell. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18481923
- Science Daily (2018): Diabetes: New drug cocktail increases human beta cell proliferation at rapid rates. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2018/12/181220111759.htm
Medically reviewed by Dr. Gurpreet Singh Padda, MD, MBA, MHP
Interventional pain physician, addiction medicine specialist and obesity medicine diplomate.
Licensed in Missouri and Illinois.
Last reviewed June 18, 2026
