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Project

The beta-cell and the immune system in type 1 diabetes: partners in crime - developing new therapies in type 1 diabetes through better understanding of beta-cell behaviour and use of novel immunomodulators.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a lifelong autoimmune disease where the immune system selectively destroys the pancreatic insulin-producing beta-cells leading to absolute insulin deficiency. Although our understanding of the (immune) mechanisms involved in T1D is growing, it still remains incomplete but the beta-cell has been positively identified as both driver and target of the disease. The steep increase in incidence and the younger age at onset suggest that environmental beta-cell stress triggers, against the background of genetic risk, are implicated both as triggers and potentiators of beta-cell destruction. To develop effective therapies, we need to expand our knowledge on the interaction between an autoimmune-prone immune system and the beta-cells, especially since none of the current approaches have succeeded in stably preserving or restoring beta-cell mass/function in T1D patients. Here, we aim to better understand the lethal dialogue between immune system and islet beta-cell to come to novel intervention strategies.
Date:1 Oct 2018 →  Today
Keywords:Type 1 diabetes, Immune modulation, Neo-antigens, Post-translational modifications, Combination interventions
Disciplines:Endocrinology and metabolic diseases