Type 1 Diabetes Case Study

Type 1 Diabetes mellitus or juvenile-onset diabetes is a metabolic condition which can lead to a number of complications such as heart disease, kidney failure, stoke and blindness. It is caused by the depletion and destruction of β-cells within the Islets of Langerhans, located in the pancreas. Pluripotent and multipotent stem cells can be used to differentiate into specific cells(7). Most importantly in this case organ tissue which can differentiate into insulin producing β cells(7). It is suggested that replacing β cells grown from pluripotent stem cells can inhibit the Autoimmune response(2).

Autoimmune Disease. Juvenile-onset diabetes is the destruction of beta cells brought on by the immune system. It is characterized by an adaptive immune reaction against β cell antigens

These cells play an important role in the body as It stores and releases a peptide hormone called insulin, which maintains normal blood glucose levels(6).

Beta cells do this by releasing insulin into the bloodstream, the insulin then binds to a transmembrane receptor (Insulin Receptor)(8). Once joined the binding of insulin substrates leads to an increase in transport of glucose molecules towards the outer membrane of muscles cells and adipose tissues(6).

Mechanism of β Cell Death.

The mechanism in which destroys β cells is unclear though is thought to arise from communication and signaling though a complex and interconnected network of cells and cytokines in an uncontrolled immune system(2,7,11).T cells receive signals in the presences of auto-antigens such as insulin, tyrosine phosphatase, glutamic acid and insulinoma (4,5). These cells produce cytokines which promote β cells apoptosis as shown in Figure 1 and Figure