Helmholtz Diabetes Center scientists manage to generate human regulatory cells with the ability to inhibit autoreactive T lymphocytes.
A study published in the journal Nature Communications shows that it is possible to induce regulators T lymphocytes that prevent autoimmunity against pancreatic islets.Using humanized mice with human hematopoietic stem cells and immunized with mimotopes of insulin, scientists have managed to generate Foxp3+ (TREG) lymphocytes, a population known for their ability to regulate the function of other lymphocytes and prevent autoimmunity.
The TREG produced by this method are stable, present all the characteristic markers of this lymphocyte population and suppress with high efficiency the activation of the authentive effectors T lymphocytes.In young animals, immunization with low doses of mimotopes completely prevented the development of type 1 diabetes.
The mimotopes are peptide fragments that mimic the three -dimensional structure of the epitopes, or antigen fragments, which do not present homology with the sequence of these.Previous studies had already indicated that mimotopes are more efficient in induction of immune tolerance than epitopes.
Although the development of the specific autoantigen vaccination is still in its childhood, the new study represents a great leap forward in achieving precision therapy for children at risk of type 1 diabetes.
