Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found a therapy for Type 1 diabetes in mouse models. This novel discovery may lead to advancing efforts in combating the disease in humans.
Type 1 diabetes affects about 5% of population across the world. Most of the patients who are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes are children and young adults. In Type 1 diabetes, the body does not produce sufficient insulin. Without insulin, blood glucose rises. Symptoms of the disease include frequent urination, excessive thirst and weight loss. There is no cure for Type 1 diabetes currently. The disease can only be controlled with insulin therapy.
There are two arms of the immune system: adaptive immune system and innate immune system. Researchers at the University of Cincinnati found that Type 1 diabetes is possibly the result of under-stimulation of innate immune systems, which trigger autoimmunity in children and young adults. In Type 1 diabetes, autoimmunity causes the body’s T-cells to attack its insulin-producing beta cells.
Cincinnati researchers’ novel therapy differs from most in combating Type 1 diabetes because it does not directly interact with T-cells, which is in the adaptive immune system. The therapy is targeting a receptor that is found mostly on innate immune cells, such as dendritic cells.
It was reported that non-obese diabetic mice have defects in innate immune cells, and TLR4, which is a toll-like receptor, plays a protective role in preventing Type 1 diabetes. Researchers at the University of Cincinnati used an agonistic monoclonal antibody, UT18, to boost the activity of TLR4 and reverse new onset diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice.
This novel therapy for Type 1 diabetes will shortly transfer to clinic trial as a promising treatment for Type 1 diabetes in humans, and this discovery is one of the dynamic research programs at the University of Cincinnati. In recent years, the University of Cincinnati has grown into one of the premier research institutions in the nation, and attracts a significant number of research funds each year.
The university garners nearly $550 million each year in research funding. Of those significant research funds, about 70% comes from federal grants and contracts. In 2013 the University of Cincinnati received more than $65 million from the National Institutes of Health and more than $27 million as of June 2014.
Biotechnology Calendar, Inc. has been producing the BioResearch Product Faire™ Events to help laboratory supply companies connect with the Cincinnati market for 13 years. The 13th Annual BioResearch Product Faire™ Events at the University of Cincinnati on August 6th 2014 provides a friendly professional environment for both laboratory supply companies and researchers to explore possibilities to demonstrate and review the newest products and services in life science research.
If you are a laboratory supply company and are looking for the opportunity to expand scientific branding and research networking, you are invited to the Cincinnati BioResearch Product Faire™ Event on August 6th 2014.
Last year, the BioResearch Product Faire™ Event at the University of Cincinnati attracted 121attendees. Of these attendees:
- 27 were purchasing agents, professors and post docs.
- 19 were lab managers.
- All are active research hands.
- These attendees came from 31 different research buildings and 57 on-campus departments.
Please click the button below for more information about the Cincinnati BioResearch Product Faire™ Event on August 6th 2014.
There are more events at different institutions across the nation. Please read the National Show Schedule for 2014.