ANI | | Published by Tapatrisha Das, Washington
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin. The details of the events that occur during the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells have been studied extensively, but the mystery of what causes autoimmunity remains unknown. In a new study, researchers present a testable hypothesis to explain the onset of autoimmunity. If validated, this would allow early detection and possible prevention of T1D in susceptible individuals.
“Previous studies have focused on the triggers, genes and proteins that differentiate people with T1D from those without diabetes, focusing on b cells (b cells make antibodies) as a target of immune destruction and blood glucose as the main abnormality. Our focus is on metabolic communication as an early instigator with the b cell as an active participant together with immune cells,” explains the author corresponding Barbara Corkey, PhD, professor emeritus of medicine and biochemistry at BUSM.
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According to Corkey, her research led her to generate the testable hypothesis that the induction of autoimmunity is a consequence of one or more major inflammatory events in individuals with susceptible human leukocyte antigens (molecule found on the surface of the most cells in the body that act an important part of the body’s immune response to foreign substances) phenotypes plus high sensitivity to cytokines (substances secreted by certain cells of the immune system) and free fatty acids (FFA).
“Diseases or environmental agents that dramatically increase cytokine production and/or elevate FFA initiate autoimmune destruction in individuals with specific genetic characteristics. Therefore, early prevention should be aimed at decreasing elevated lipids and decreasing simultaneous excessive elevation of cytokines or induced by cytokines and lipids. proliferation of immune cells,” he adds.
Corkey believes that the characteristics that make individuals susceptible to autoimmune destruction could also apply to other autoimmune diseases such as toxic shock syndrome and possibly long-term COVID-19.
This story was published from an agency channel with no changes to the text. Only the title has been changed.
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