Vaccine works against type 1 diabetes in mouse experiments
Researchers find self-regulating feature of immune system
Weakness can be a strength when it comes to keeping the immune system from attacking the body’s own cells, mouse experiments that use a new vaccine against type 1 diabetes reveal.
The new research, published online April 8 in Immunity, describes previously unknown cells that keep the immune system in check. The study demonstrates that the immune system is already outfitted with tools that can defuse destructive autoimmune reactions without damaging the body’s ability to fight infections. And it suggests that harnessing those tools may be a successful strategy for developing a vaccine for type 1 diabetes in humans.
In type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes, white blood cells called T-cells attack insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This type of self-destructive behavior is also at the root of diseases such as lupus, rheumatoid arthritis and multiple sclerosis.