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El estudio evaluates if blocking the type I interferons pathway helps prevent the disease
The IDiBE-UMH/HGUE-Fisabio Joint Research Unit has initiated a research project to prevent type 1 diabetes, a chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks and destroys the cells responsible for producing insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar.
The study, led by Dr. Reinaldo S. dos Santos (from the General University Hospital of Eche and the Fisabio Foundation) and Laura Marroquí (IDiBE, UMH), investigates whether blocking a part of the immune system, specifically the type I interferons pathway, can help prevent type 1 diabetes, as reported by the Generalitat in a statement.
Type I interferons are proteins produced by our bodies as part of the defense against viruses and other dangers. They act as an alarm to activate the immune system. The study aims to determine if blocking or reducing this signal from the immune system can prevent the body from attacking itself, thus preventing the onset of type 1 diabetes in individuals at risk.
Dr. Dos Santos explained that in the early stages of the disease, immune cells release substances called chemokines and cytokines in the pancreas, causing inflammation. «One of these cytokines, interferon-alpha (IFNa), plays a key role in initiating and exacerbating inflammation,» he detailed.
Therefore, inhibiting the activity of this protein «could be a promising strategy to prevent or treat type 1 diabetes, and that is the focus of the study,» explained Dr. Marroquí. Preliminary data from the study suggest that inhibitors of this protein can protect beta cells from death caused by cytokines in cellular lines. The project is focused on testing inhibitors of this protein in vivo, in an experimental diabetes model in mice. «This innovative project could pave the way for a new class of treatments targeted against TYK2 to prevent or delay type 1 diabetes,» said Dr. Sousa. The specialist concluded that they hope the proposed studies «provide a solid preclinical justification to advance to human trials with TYK2 inhibitors, focused on restoring insulin secretion in type 1 diabetes patients and ultimately preventing the disease in patients who have not yet developed symptoms but are in pre-symptomatic stages.» The project was awarded in a call for funding by the European Foundation for the Study of Diabetes, an entity whose goal is to promote diabetes research in Europe and raise public awareness and understanding of the magnitude of the disease. The Miguel Hernández University of Elche and the Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research of the Valencian Community (Fisabio) of the Ministry of Health have an agreement to establish a Joint Research Unit between the staff affiliated with the Institute of Research, Development, and Innovation in Health Biotechnology of Elche (IDiBE) and the research staff of the General University Hospital of Elche (HGUE). The objective of this joint unit is to carry out research, development, and innovation activities in the fields of clinical medicine and health biotechnology. It focuses on research into new technologies in the treatment and diagnosis of cancer, pain, diabetes, and infectious diseases, among others.
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