Abstract
This paper will review what happens physiologically when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas, resulting in the onset of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The immune system is designed to fight infection and viruses, but in the case of diabetes, it responds inappropriately by targeting normal body cells and tissues. The hormone insulin is produced by specialized islet cells in the pancreas and is essential for glucose metabolism. When the body does not produce insulin, it cannot control blood glucose levels and therefore, patients must rely on subcutaneous insulin injections or continuous infusion with an insulin pump. Diabetes and its associated complications, including cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, neuropathy and kidney disease, are one of the major causes of mortality. This imposes both a socio-economic burden as well as a diminished quality of life for people and families affected by the disease. While it is known that Type I diabetes results from an auto-immune attack on pancreatic beta cells, the cause of the immune system response is unknown. Scientific research points to a combination of genetic, environmental and immunological factors. The current status of diabetes research towards the development of target therapeutic strategies to better manage, prevent and potentially cure this chronic disease will also be discussed.
Faculty Sponsors
Dr. Tamara Frank
Project Type
Event
Location
Alvin Sherman Library
Start Date
4-13-2012 1:00 PM
End Date
4-13-2012 5:30 PM
A Case of Mistaken Identity in the Pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes
Alvin Sherman Library
This paper will review what happens physiologically when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing beta cells of the pancreas, resulting in the onset of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. The immune system is designed to fight infection and viruses, but in the case of diabetes, it responds inappropriately by targeting normal body cells and tissues. The hormone insulin is produced by specialized islet cells in the pancreas and is essential for glucose metabolism. When the body does not produce insulin, it cannot control blood glucose levels and therefore, patients must rely on subcutaneous insulin injections or continuous infusion with an insulin pump. Diabetes and its associated complications, including cardiovascular disease, retinopathy, neuropathy and kidney disease, are one of the major causes of mortality. This imposes both a socio-economic burden as well as a diminished quality of life for people and families affected by the disease. While it is known that Type I diabetes results from an auto-immune attack on pancreatic beta cells, the cause of the immune system response is unknown. Scientific research points to a combination of genetic, environmental and immunological factors. The current status of diabetes research towards the development of target therapeutic strategies to better manage, prevent and potentially cure this chronic disease will also be discussed.
