
The study shows the first ever scientific explanation of the mechanism by which killer T-cells can attack pancreatic beta cells. The receptors attacked by the T-cells help researchers understand what type of virus or foreign body might provoke the mistaken target.
A mystery still exists to justify why the rogue T-cells are not picked-out of the body after the initial attack is over. The lingering T-cells cause trouble by attacking the insulin-producing cells.
Many people with type 1 diabetes can recall having chicken pox, a flu-like sickness, or even a vaccine several months prior to the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. Although this has been empirical observation – this is good reason to find value in this study.
Certain illnesses may cause the body to dispatch T-cells with protein-specific targets similar to pancreatic beta cells. In this case – a high risk group of patients may be identified and followed to ensure the type of attack leading to insulin-dependent diabetes can be caught early enough to treat and possibly prevent, in the future.
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