Blocking beta cell destruction

Neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM), a glycoprotein that is expressed in all nerve cells and has a role in their health, growth and communication, may also be a potential therapeutic target for Type I diabetes. A group of Scandinavian protein researchers last month reported in Diabetologia that modulating NCAM signaling can modify pro-apoptotic signaling in insulin-producing beta cells.

Cytokines have been implicated in the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas, leading to Type I diabetes. Indeed, interleukin-1B, in combination with interferon gamma and/or tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha, is believed to play an important role in beta cell destruction. The cytotoxicity involves pro-apoptotic signaling via mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases and NF-kappa B. ...