Research into the causes of type 1 diabetes often focuses on autoimmune reactions, in which our immune system destroys the beta cells of the insulin-producing pancreatic islets. Scientists at the University of Chicago looked at the role of beta cells themselves in activating autoimmunity.
This research advances the emergence of new drugs that can block the destruction of beta cells by the immune system and thereby prevent the development of type 1 diabetes in patients at risk or in those who already have this disease. The authors of the study used various genetic tools to remove a gene called Alox15 from mice that are genetically predisposed to developing type 1 diabetes.
Beta cells will save people from diabetes
This gene produces an enzyme called 12/15-lipoxygenase, which has been shown to be involved in the processes that trigger inflammatory responses in beta cells. Deletion of Alox15 in mice preserved their beta cell count, reduced the amount of immune T cells infiltrating the islet environment, and prevented the development of type 1 diabetes in both males and females. Also, these mice showed increased expression of a gene encoding a protein that suppresses autoimmunity.
Artificial Beta Cells – New Treatment for Diabetes Mellitus
The immune system doesn't just suddenly decide to attack the beta cells, they somehow alter themselves to be attacked. And when scientists got rid of the insidious gene, beta cells no longer sent signals to the immune system and were not destroyed by it. And this stopped the development of type 1 diabetes. (READ MORE) 
University of Chicago
Medicine
private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA, founded in 1890