In the United States, more than two million people have diagnosed type 1 diabetes, according to the CDC, and, until recently, the role of a special protein in your body’s nerve cells, a transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) was unknown. Often called the “capsaicin receptor,” TRPV1 is activated by capsaicin in the body, the compound that gives chili peppers their heat. Research has shown that TRPV1 does more than that. It is found in nerves, immune cells, blood vessels and insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Euan Allan, Ph.D.,  teaching associate professor at the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), and medical student researcher Kelly Silva-Picazo, have compiled research to show a connection between TRPV1 and type 1 diabetes. TRPV1 helps control the immune system, insulin-producing cells, blood vessels and nerve signals. These are all important parts of how type 1 diabetes starts and progresses.

“Instead of viewing diabetes only as an immune attack on the pancreas, the literature suggests that TRPV1 and nerve signaling, inflammation, metabolism and vascular health are all interconnected,” said Allan. “Understanding that broader network could help us develop treatments that not only manage blood sugar but also protect tissues and reduce long-term complications.”

Along with Silva-Picazo, Allan reviews scientific literature by synthesizing large volumes of research into clear, evidence-based insights that guide clinical decision-making, such as with TRPV1.

“Rather than viewing nerves as passive bystanders, we now see them as active participants in autoimmune processes,” said Allan. “If we can better understand those neuroimmune pathways, we may uncover entirely new strategies for preserving insulin-making cells’ function early in disease progression.”

The University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine provides a collaborative environment where researchers from immunology, neuroscience, physiology and clinical medicine can work together to address complex diseases such as type 1 diabetes. Because TRPV1 influences multiple biological systems, an interdisciplinary approach is essential.

“Ultimately, the goal is to move toward literature-based research in which medical students can gain experience synthesizing and summarizing concepts out of the basic literature so they can help contribute to future clinical research that has clear translational value and can improve patient outcomes,” said Allan.

UNR Med encourages students to conduct research and offers training and real-time experiences to shape and explore research in a practical setting. Students can be actively involved in shaping discoveries and providing insights that impact clinical settings.

“I find it especially rewarding to see students progress from having little knowledge of scientific writing and publishing to gaining the independence to navigate the process on their own,” said Allan. “My advice is to stay curious, remain persistent and embrace the iterative nature of writing and research.”

Research often leads to more questions, and Allan and Silva-Picazo’s TRPV1 discovery is no different. They have learned that TRPV1 can be helpful or harmful. In the short term, it may help the body release insulin and function normally. But if it stays active for too long, it can cause inflammation, stress in cells and damage to tissues. Because of this, scientists need to better understand when and how TRPV1 should be targeted for treatment.

Another challenge is that most TRPV1 research has been done in mice. Human bodies are more complex, so researchers need more studies of human tissues to understand if people with type 1 diabetes experience the same effects.

This research is in the early stages and has not yet contributed to new therapies for people living with type 1 diabetes, but it expands the areas other scientists can target to conduct more research, which can lead to treatments that help preserve insulin-producing cells, reduce type 1 diabetes complications and improve the quality of life for those individuals.

“The most important message from our research is one of optimism,” said Allan. “Our review highlights how much we are learning about the biological pathways involved in type 1 diabetes and its complications. TRPV1 appears to be a key link connecting the immune system, nervous system and metabolism, offering new opportunities to understand why complications develop and how they might be prevented.”