Diabetes Type I is caused by autoimmune destruction of the beta cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Scientists have used several known techniques to cure mice with advanced Type I Diabetes. They shut down the immune attack, reprogrammed the immune system, and coaxed the growth of new beta cells. “In the study, the mice were given antibodies to attack two kinds of immune cells that kill the pancreas insulin-producing beta cells. Then the mice had a bone marrow transplant to replenish the vanquished cells. Bone marrow is where blood cells are made, and the transplant let the mice make immune cells that wouldn’t attack the beta cells. A treatment with pancreas growth factor spurred creation of new beta cells.” We are a long way from curing Diabetes Type I in humans. The report does not indicate how long the cure lasted but this news is very encouraging. The next step will be to try to repeat this process in animals that are closer to humans. Live in hope of a cure but stay under control; a cure is still a long way off but these results are encouraging. To see the original article, click here.
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