|
|
|
The loss of immunological self-tolerance is the major factor in developing autoimmunity against islet cells, resulting in type 1 diabetes.
Self-tolerance is the immune system’s ability to recognize what is “self,” and not react against, or attack it. DRI researchers have discovered that a small amount of insulin is produced in the thymus and other organs of the immune system, and in peripheral blood.
This source of insulin is not used to regulate blood sugars, but rather to eliminate “bad” immune cells that recognize insulin as a target. In the immune systems of those with type 1 diabetes, this process goes awry, and the “bad” immune cells attack the islets.
At the DRI, scientists are working to use these cells to re-educate the immune system and restore self-tolerance to insulin.
This work will play a key role in preventing the onset of diabetes, as well as in preventing the recurrence of autoimmunity after islet transplantation.
|
DRI researcher
Alberto Pugliese, M.D.
|
Share This Item
|
|
|