Investigating the Role of Immune System in Type 1 Diabetes

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) refers to the immune system's eradication of the cells that produce insulin in the patients’ islets. Dendritic cells (DCs), macrophages, and lymphocytes are some of the immune cells attended in the relevant immune responses and have been connected to the pathogenesis of T1D. In addition, it is also highlighted that cytokines also activate regulatory processes, like tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin 6 (IL-6) and interleukin 7 (IL-7). It is possible to develop clinical trials for T1D that combine selective cytokine blocking as a component of preventive or interventional immunotherapy. In this project, the current knowledge on the relationship between inflammation and T1D is summarized. Non-specific immune system and specific immune system are highly involved in the complex mechanism and have specific responsibilities respectively. In addition, the roles of different types of cytokines in T1D and cytokine-related potential treatment options are also be discussed in this article.