Immune system responsible for increased inflammation in diabetes patients

Researchers at UC Davis Health System have discovered a novel pathway that results in increased inflammation of blood vessels in patients with type 1 diabetes. Their findings suggest that, with good diabetes control, this inflammation may be reduced, possibly resulting in a reduction of cardiovascular disease as well.

In a study now available both in the online edition of the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism as well on the National Institutes of Health's PubMed, the researchers provide the first-ever demonstration of increased expression and signaling in type 1 diabetics of two key receptors within the body's innate immune system. Called TLR2 and TLR4, they are part of a family of pattern recognition receptors known as Toll-like receptors (TLRs), so-called because of their similarities to the well-defined Toll gene found in much-studied fruit flies.

Type 1 diabetes is a pro-inflammatory state associated with increased cardiovascular mortality. Inflammation plays a pivotal role in all stages of atherosclerosis, the progressive narrowing and hardening of the arteries over time. The UC Davis study found that TLR2 and TLR4 expression and signaling are increased in type 1 diabetes patients and contribute to the pro-inflammatory state.

"It is not unreasonable to speculate that TLR2 and TLR4 promote atherogenesis by contributing to the pro-inflammatory state in type 1 diabetes," said lead author Ishwarlal Jialal, director of the Laboratory for Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Research and professor of internal medicine at UC Davis. "Inflammation is central to heart disease, playing a pivotal role in plaque formation and stroke. We may well find that a serendipitous byproduct of controlling diabetes is the simultaneous control of this new pathway, leading to less inflammation and lower risk of heart problems."

The study represents the first-ever demonstration of increased TLR2 and TLR4 activity in type 1 diabetes monocytes, which are part of the body's immune system, protecting against blood-borne pathogens by moving quickly to sites of infection.

The immune system comprises the cells and mechanisms that defend the host from infection by other organisms, accomplishing its defense with the help of such pattern-recognition receptors as TLRs for early detection of specific classes of pathogens.

"This finding provides us with a totally new insight into the causes of inflammation in diabetics," adds Jialal, who holds the Robert E. Stowell Endowed Chair in Experimental Pathology at UC Davis. "It's an exciting development in the emerging area of TLR research that has potentially wide-ranging implications."

Further studies will use mice to examine the molecular mechanisms for increased TLR2 and TLR4 expression and determine their contribution to the pro-inflammatory state of diabetes.

Co-authors were Sridevi Devaraj, Mohan Dasu and Jason Rockwood in the UC Davis Laboratory for Atherosclerosis and Metabolic Research; Steven Griffen, UC Davis assistant professor of endocrinology, clinical nutrition and vascular medicine; and William Winter, professor of pathology, immunology and laboratory medicine at the University of Florida.

The study was funded by grants from the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International and the National Institutes of Health.



(Editor compiled and published Immune system responsible for increased inflammation in diabetes patients at HealthNewsTrack on November 28, 2007 sourced from UC Davis Health System - http://www.ucdmc.ucdavis.edu/newsroom/releases/archives/research/2007/jialal_diabetes11-2007.html)

Diabetes - recent articles and current news stories:

- Bariatric surgery better for obese with type 2 diabetes
- Less sleep means higher risk of diabetes and obesity
- Bariatric surgery improves and reverses diabetes
- Gestational diabetes and poverty increased ADHD risk in offspring
- Low calorie diet improves heart function in diabetic obese patients

Most related articles:

- Immune system responsible for increased inflammation in diabetes patients
- Protein levels may predict that a child will develop diabetes - 7.5
- GM-CSF required for the immune attack in multiple sclerosis - 5.6
- Stomach bacteria protect against type 1 diabetes - 5.4
- Soluble fiber boosts immune system and immunity - 5.3

More related articles:

- Immune system, Diabetes, Type 1 diabetes, Cardiovascular disease, Endocrinology, Metabolism, Health, Atherosclerosis, Heart disease, Stroke
- Youth with type 1 diabetes linked to insulin resistance - 13.5
- Part of ACCORD study halted due to safety concerns - 9.8
- Protein levels may predict that a child will develop diabetes - 9.5
- Glucose intolerance in pregnancy may lead to heart disease - 9.3

Diabetes related articles:

- New diabetes risk assessment developed - 3.1
- One person diagnosed with diabetes every three minutes - 3
- Nicole Johnson takes action for type 1 diabetes research - 2.8
- Lilly donated Insulin to International Diabetes Federation's Life for a Child Program - 2.8
- Victoza, liraglutide approved for type 2 diabetes - 2.8

Diabetes article/news source:

Read more health articles from UC Davis Health System and health articles from USA.

Diabetes - search related terms:

Atherosclerosis, Cardiovascular disease, Diabetes, Endocrinology, Health, Heart disease, Immune system, Metabolism, Stroke, Type 1 diabetes,
Diabetes books,

Searched keywords: Diabetes Immune system (5),

List health news, Health organizations, Health news world, Glossary, Best health articles, Featured     Go to top

The information provided on Health Newstrack is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between a patient/site visitor and his/her physician. We comply with the HONcode principles for trustworthy health information, and Health News Track is hon code accredited, verify here.
About us, Site map Privacy policy, Disclaimer
© 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 HealthNewsTrack.com
1.77