A bacterial protein has been found that can penetrate the pancreas and put its cells in a state in which they begin to multiply actively. This reduces the risk of developing type 1 diabetes, the University of Oregon (UO) press office reported.
The discovery of the BefA protein has a lot of interesting implications. If we understand how this bacterial peptide works, it will allow us to create tools that stimulate the growth and repair of pancreatic beta cells, which are responsible for insulin production, said UO professor.
There are a number of serious diseases, such as lupus and type 1 diabetes, that are caused by immune system malfunctions that cause its cells to attack various organs and tissues of the human body. The researchers suggest that they are the result of viral infections, as well as the product of some kind of abnormalities in the work of genes.
Professor Gailman and her colleagues have been trying to understand how human microflora can be linked to the development of type 1 diabetes for several years. In recent years, scientists have discovered a lot of evidence in favor of such a connection, but the mechanism of action of microflora bacteria on immune and pancreatic function remained a mystery for them.
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