What is diabetes (mellitus)?
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Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterised by high plasma glucose level (hyperglycemia). There are two types of diabetes, type I and type II. Type I arises as a result of auto-antibody production against the pancreatic β-cells whereas type II arises as a result of insulin resistance and obesity. About 5-10% of all diabetic patients are suffering from type I diabetes. If not treated, diabetes can lead to debilitating complications and even death.
At the moment, there is no cure for diabetes. Insulin replacement therapy merely alleviates symptoms aimed to delay or prevent complications. However, a recent study shows that an immunotherapy using non-depleting antibodies specific for CD4 and CD8 co-receptor mediate β-cell-specific T-cell-tolerance leading to remission of recent onset type I diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. In order to elucidate this medical breakthrough, this website will begin with discussing the origin of type I diabetes and how early approaches/treatments led to this new immunotherapy focus.
At the moment, there is no cure for diabetes. Insulin replacement therapy merely alleviates symptoms aimed to delay or prevent complications. However, a recent study shows that an immunotherapy using non-depleting antibodies specific for CD4 and CD8 co-receptor mediate β-cell-specific T-cell-tolerance leading to remission of recent onset type I diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. In order to elucidate this medical breakthrough, this website will begin with discussing the origin of type I diabetes and how early approaches/treatments led to this new immunotherapy focus.
T.N. Budi, A.N. Khuong, C. YeoJoon | Copyright ©2012