At Last! Type 1 Diabetes May Also be Triggered by Bacteria

During type-1 diabetes, the T-cells attack pancreatic beta cells -- which make the insulin essential for control of blood sugar levels.

Germs, the most common agent responsible for triggering infections also joins the list of risk factors for type 1 diabetes.

Type-1 diabetes is a very serious and hard to treat condition affecting mainly young people and children.

Viral Infections can Increase Type 1 Diabetes Risk in Children
The first six months are an especially sensitive stage in life, viral infections during this stage increase the risk of children developing type 1 diabetes.

‘Germs could play a role in the development of Type-1 diabetes by triggering the body's killer-T-cells to destroy beta cells that produce insulin.’

Previous research has shown that killer T-cells - a type of white blood cell that normally protects us from germs - play a major part in type-1 diabetes by destroying insulin producing cells, known as beta cells.

"The study identified part of a bug that turns on killer T-cells so they latch onto beta cells. This finding sheds new light on how these killer T-cells are turned into rogues, leading to the development of type-1 diabetes," said lead author Andy Sewell, professor at Cardiff University in Britain.

These killer T-cells are strongly activated by some bacteria.

High Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Kids With Type 1 Diabetes
There is high prevalence of low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, specifically in healthy weight and Caucasian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

During type-1 diabetes, the T-cells attack pancreatic beta cells -- which make the insulin essential for control of blood sugar levels.

When beta cells are destroyed, patients have to inject insulin every day to remain healthy.

Double Advantage of Potential New Type 1 Diabetes Treatment
Blocking the hormone that raises sugar levels in the blood could increase insulin levels while keeping blood sugar levels down.

"Killer T-cells are extremely effective at killing off germs, but when they mistakenly attack our own tissues, the effects can be devastating," Sewell said.

The research, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, provides a first ever glimpse of how germs might trigger killer T-cells to cause type-1 diabetes, but also points towards a more general mechanism for the cause of other autoimmune diseases.

Islet Transplant Prevents Hypoglycemic Events In Type 1 Diabetes Patients
Transplanted human islets prevent hypoglycemic events and provide excellent glycemic control for patients with Type 1 diabetes with severe hypoglycemia.

"Finding the cellular mechanisms behind the development of autoimmune diseases, such as type-1 diabetes, could lead to treatments that help us lead longer, healthier lives," David Cole from Cardiff University noted.

Source-IANS