Reversal of type 1 diabetes in mice could help treat humans in future
A new study has revealed that a therapy that reverses new onset type 1 diabetes in mouse could eventually help humans in fighting the disease.
Type 1 diabetes is usually diagnosed in children and young adults and affects about 5 percent of all people with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association. There is no cure, though it can be controlled with insulin therapy.
Previously, it has been reported that non-obese diabetic mice have defects in innate immune cells and that TLR4, a toll-like receptor, plays a protective role in preventing Type 1 diabetes.
William Ridgway, MD said that they have shown by using an antibody to stimulate a specific molecule in the innate immune system they can reverse with a high rate of success new onset diabetes in mice that have already developed the symptoms of diabetes.
He further explained that the key to reversing Type 1 diabetes in mice is catching the disease at its onset, which is typically within a very short time window and the time frame would be longer in humans but it is still a relatively short time from new onset to end-stage Type 1 diabetes.
The research stated that additional study is required but the therapy may hold promise because one agonistic anti-TLR4 agent is already FDA approved and others are under development.
The study was presented at the American Diabetes Association's 74th Scientific Sessions in San Francisco.
(Posted on 15-06-2014)
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