Study says germs may cause type-1 diabetes

Germs could play a role in the development of Type-1 diabetes by triggering the body's immune system to destroy the cells that produce insulin, suggests new research.

Germs could play a role in the development of Type-1 diabetes by triggering the body's immune system to destroy the cells that produce insulin, suggests new research. Type-1 diabetes is a very serious and hard to treat condition affecting mainly young people and children. Previous research has shown that killer T-cells -- a type of white blood cell that normally protects us from germs -- play a major part in type-1 diabetes by destroying insulin producing cells, known as beta cells. The study identified part of a bug that turns on killer T-cells so they latch onto beta cells. This finding sheds new light on how these killer T-cells are turned into rogues, leading to the development of type-1 diabetes, said lead author Andy Sewell, professor at Cardiff University in Britain. (Read: Does having diabetic parents increase your risk of diabetes?)

These killer T-cells are strongly activated by some bacteria. During type-1 diabetes, the T-cells attack pancreatic beta cells -- which make the insulin essential for control of blood sugar levels. When beta cells are destroyed, patients have to inject insulin every day to remain healthy. Killer T-cells are extremely effective at killing off germs, but when they mistakenly attack our own tissues, the effects can be devastating, Sewell said. (Read: Expert diet and exercise tips to manage diabetes)

The research, published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, provides a first ever glimpse of how germs might trigger killer T-cells to cause type-1 diabetes, but also points towards a more general mechanism for the cause of other autoimmune diseases. Finding the cellular mechanisms behind the development of autoimmune diseases, such as type-1 diabetes, could lead to treatments that help us lead longer, healthier lives, David Cole from Cardiff University noted. (Read: Study says blocking the glucagon hormone may help treat type 1 diabetes)