Leiden discovery sheds new light on type 1 diabetes
Researchers at LUMC, led by professor Bart Roep, have made an important genetic discovery that explains why some people do not develop type 1 diabetes, despite an inherited predisposition. The study, published in the leading journal Cell, shows that certain variations in insulin gene DNA protect beta cells from immune system attacks. This breakthrough makes it possible to better predict disease progression and tailor future treatments more precisely to the individual.
Breakthrough in type 1 diabetes
Why some people develop type 1 diabetes and others do not has been one of the big questions in medical science for years. New research from LUMC now offers a surprising answer. It is not the immune system that makes a mistake first, but the insulin-producing beta cells themselves seem to signal under stress, leading to destruction. This finding changes the perspective on the onset of type 1 diabetes and offers clues for early recognition of at-risk patients.
Stress and protection at the cellular level
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How stress kills beta cells
Beta cells in the pancreas are responsible for producing insulin, a process that is intensive and stressful for these cells. When the workload becomes too high, beta cells become stressed and unintentionally release signals that activate the immune system. Instead of protection, this response actually causes destruction of the beta cells, leading to type 1 diabetes. LUMC's research shows that this response is strongly influenced by genetic factors - a crucial new insight into the disease process.
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Protective DNA valve discovered
LUMC researchers have found a genetic variant that protects some people against type 1 diabetes. This variant causes beta cells to have a kind of biological ‘valve’ that allows them to regulate stress and stay under the radar of the immune system. About 40 per cent of the Dutch population carries this variant, but not everyone with the protection remains completely free of diabetes. However, the research does show that the disease course in this group is often milder, with better blood sugar regulation and fewer long-term complications.