GM‐CSF reduces amylin amyloid and prevents pancreatic cell death in the hIAPP mouse model of Type 2 diabetes mellitus, a known risk factor for Alzheimer’s disease

People with Type II diabetes mellitus (T2D) are at higher risk for developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). T2D is characterized histopathologically by the accumulation of fibrillary amyloid deposits in the pancreas, which are comprised primarily of human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP), also known as amylin. Amylin, which self‐aggregates in a manner similar to amyloid beta, has been implicated as a source of pathogenesis in both T2D and AD. In T2D patients, pancreatic amyloid deposition occurs before and induces islet β‐cell apoptosis.