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Project Description
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a condition where the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys cells in the pancreas called beta cells. These cells are responsible for producing insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar levels. Despite extensive research, we still don’t fully understand what causes T1D, but it’s believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
Genetic studies have identified certain regions of our DNA that influence the risk of developing T1D, but the increasing number of cases suggests that genes alone can’t explain it. This has led scientists to investigate environmental factors that might trigger the immune system to attack pancreatic cells. However, we’re still uncertain about which specific environmental factors are involved.
Recent studies have suggested a link between viral infections and the onset of T1D. Some viruses like rotavirus, mumps virus, cytomegalovirus, and rubella virus have been associated with T1D. One particular type of virus called coxsackievirus B (CVB) seems to be strongly linked to T1D. Surprisingly, certain viruses found in the human gut, that such as those from the Iridoviridae family, have been found to carry genes similar to those that code for human insulin. This similarity might confuse the immune system, leading it to attack insulin-producing cells.
Our research team and I, aims to investigate the role of viral infections, including those carrying viral-insulin viruses, in causing T1D. By understanding how these viruses contribute to the development of T1D, we hope to develop new treatments to prevent and manage the condition better. We believe that viral infections can both trigger and potentially protect against T1D, and studying them could provide crucial insights into the disease.
