A new compound successfully inhibited the development of type 1 diabetes in mouse models. The findings could potentially have a significant impact on treatment research for type 1 diabetes in humans.
The researchers tested a compound called SR1001 on non-obese diabetic mice. The compound works on receptors that contribute to the development of Th17 immune cells, which are closely linked to the development of type 1 diabetes.
The researchers hoped that the compound would impair the development of Th17 cells in the mice, which in turn might prevent type 1 diabetes.
SR1001 significantly reduced the incidence of diabetes in the mice. When the researchers tested it, the mice produced fewer Th17 cells and maintained healthy insulin levels.
The research indicates that Th17 cells have a pathological influence over the development of type 1 diabetes. Compounds like SR1001 that target Th17 cells could play in the role in the creation of preventative therapies for type 1 diabetes.
Laura Solt, lead author of the study, said: “The animals in our study never developed high blood sugar indicative of diabetes, and beta cell damage was significantly reduced compared to animals that hadn’t been treated with our compound.
“Because Th17 cells have been linked to a number of autoimmune diseases, including multiple sclerosis, we thought our compound might inhibit Th17 cells in type 1 diabetes and possibly interfere with disease progression. We were right.”
The study was published in Endocrinology.

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