Northerner
Admin (Retired)
- Relationship to Diabetes
- Type 1
A new study has shown that treating type 1 diabetes-prone mice with the small protein MOTS-c prevented the immune system from destroying insulin-producing pancreatic cells, effectively preventing the onset of the autoimmune disease.
The small protein that first made headlines as an "exercise mimetic" increasingly appears to also have a big role in regulating the immune system, said Assistant Professor of Gerontology Changhan David Lee, co-corresponding author of the study.
Regulating the immune system
Type 1 diabetes, previously known as juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disease that accounts for 5 to 10% of diabetes cases. In patients with type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the islet regions of the pancreas, which are made up of hormone-producing cells. When immune cells mistakenly destroy healthy beta cells -- the pancreatic cells that produce the sugar-regulating hormone insulin -- the body loses the ability to make insulin, control blood sugar levels and properly use sugar for energy.
The small protein that first made headlines as an "exercise mimetic" increasingly appears to also have a big role in regulating the immune system, said Assistant Professor of Gerontology Changhan David Lee, co-corresponding author of the study.
Regulating the immune system
Type 1 diabetes, previously known as juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disease that accounts for 5 to 10% of diabetes cases. In patients with type 1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the islet regions of the pancreas, which are made up of hormone-producing cells. When immune cells mistakenly destroy healthy beta cells -- the pancreatic cells that produce the sugar-regulating hormone insulin -- the body loses the ability to make insulin, control blood sugar levels and properly use sugar for energy.
Small protein protects pancreatic cells in model of type 1 diabetes
A new study has shown that treating type 1 diabetes-prone mice with the small protein MOTS-c prevented the immune system from destroying insulin-producing pancreatic cells, effectively preventing the onset of the autoimmune disease. The small protein that first made headlines as an 'exercise...
www.sciencedaily.com
