Catching the Immune System Betrayal to Decode the Diabetes

A hidden group of rogue immune cells was discovered that attack lymph nodes in pancreas, raising the cause of type 1 diabetes (T1D). The helper immune cells called as CD4 T cells, produce two peculiar proteins that could accelerate beta-cell (crucial for insulin production) destruction in pancreas. The findings were according to new research from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania detailed in Science Immunology(1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Immune cells ‘caught in the act’ could spur earlier detection and prevention of Type 1 Diabetes

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New Blood Test Blueprint Identifies Immune Triggers Behind Beta Cell Damage

Non-invasive blood tests can track the traces of these specific proteins and signals originating in the spleen, providing a molecular blueprint of protein pathways that attack beta cells. Understanding the proteins as master switches in immune cell mechanism could open doors for early diabetic detection and prevention.

The research unveils the immune signatures, which help halt type 1 diabetes prior the occurrence of symptoms.

Detailing the Early Autoimmune Attack in Type 1 Diabetes

“For the first time, this research has caught the attack cells in the act, while the disease is still unfolding; we’re not just seeing the wreckage after the immune system destroys insulin producing cells in the pancreas,” Golnaz Vahedi, PhD, a professor of Genetics and co-corresponding author of the study.

Analyzing nearly one million immune cells -- one cell at a time -- from the pancreatic lymph nodes and spleens of 43 organ donors, some with T1D, some showing early warning signs, and some healthy, researchers identified a unique subset of CD4 T cells: a type of "helper" immune cells in the pancreatic lymph nodes of people with active T1D.

These cells ramp up two proteins, NFKB1 and BACH2, that act like master switches, turning genes on and off in ways that rev up the immune attack on insulin-making cells.

“The study showed the same cell pattern occurred in pre-type 1-diabetic people, who don’t yet show the symptoms. This suggests that the immune misfire begins early, potentially while plenty of insulin-producing beta cells are still healthy,” said Vahedi.

Spleen Signals Give Signatures for Early Diabetic Detection

In the spleen, certain white blood cells or B cells also showed T1D-specific molecular changes, and these signals could be spotted in simple blood samples.

This hints at a future blood test to flag T1D risk years before symptoms like high blood sugar appear.

“The spleen changes detectable in blood mean we could monitor at-risk children, like family members of type 1 diabetes patients, without invasive procedures,” said Vahedi.

“If we can block the pathways that fuel these rogue CD4 T cells, we might be able to delay or even prevent Type 1 diabetes.”

Reference:

1. Immune cells ‘caught in the act’ could spur earlier detection and prevention of Type 1 Diabetes - (https://www.pennmedicine.org/news/early-immune-clues-could-help-detect-and-stop-type-1-diabetes)

Source-Eurekalert