In general, there are 2 types of diabetes. Type 2 is mainly caused by poor lifestyle choices although some people may have a genetic predisposition to it. Whereas type 1 is an autoimmune disease that the patient is born with. There is no cure for type 1 diabetes – people manage the disease throughout their lives. Now, however, scientists at the University of Queensland have identified an important protein that can stave off autoimmune disease.
Millions of people around the world live their entire lives with type 1 diabetes, which can cause deadly signs. Scientists think it can be prevented. Image credit: David-i98 via Wikimedia (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes occurs suddenly, often at an early age, and is not related to lifestyle factors. Young children are diagnosed with this condition and then begin lifelong treatment. Managing type 1 diabetes is a huge challenge and the disease has claimed many lives. However, scientists believe it is possible to catch it even before it appears.
Type 1 diabetes is the least life-changing and the most fatal. This is a chronic condition, characterized by the pancreas producing little or no insulin. Now scientists have developed a biological agent called sRAGE, which can boost the function of damaged white blood cells in people who develop type 1 diabetes. Initial lab test Experiments show that sRAGE can repair faulty regulatory T cells, which can prevent the immune system from attacking the body’s own tissues causing diabetes. In terms of its function, sRAGE may be similar to other treatments such as regulatory T-cell infusion, but preclinical studies suggest this agent to be safer and less invasive.
Scientists have high hopes regarding the effectiveness of sRAGE. This treatment can be given to people who are likely to develop type 1 diabetes and who already have it. Dr Sherman Leung, principal investigator on this study, said: “We found that enhancing regulatory T cells using sRAGE in the pancreas, lymph nodes and spleen of the pancreas prevented diabetes and resulted in better insulin expression and function. Our study shows that sRAGE can also be used to treat patients who have developed Type 1 diabetes to help with better blood sugar control because it can block the inflammatory response that causes symptoms of diabetes. sick. “
Type 1 diabetes is a life-changing condition. People living with the disease are more at risk of dying prematurely from complications of the disease including heart attacks. The scientists hope that the findings from this study will be used to prevent type 1 diabetes in young people and to treat existing patients. sRAGE may help improve blood sugar control because it can block the inflammatory response that causes disease symptoms.
Source: University of Queensland
