GSBS Student Publications
Title
Induction of tolerance for islet transplantation for type 1 diabetes
Publication Date
2003-07-18
UMMS Affiliation
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences; Department of Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism; Department of Medicine, Diabetes Division
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Life Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder characterized by selective destruction of pancreatic b cells and absolute insulin deficiency. Even when treated well, control is imperfect and complications inevitable. Advances in immunosuppressive drugs and preparation of donor islets have recently made curative islet transplantation a reality for type 1 diabetes. Unfortunately, short-term side effects and long-term health risks of lifelong systemic immunosuppression compromise the otherwise extraordinary benefits that accrue from a successful graft. Our current goal is to obviate the need for immunosuppression and achieve islet graft tolerance. New protocols based on costimulation blockade have brought us close to that goal, inducing states of both peripheral and central transplantation tolerance. These have overcome both allograft rejection and recurrent autoimmunity, but potentially detrimental effects of environmental agents on tolerance are not yet fully understood. Studies of the underlying mechanisms have provided new insights into the nature of both tolerance and autoimmunity.
Source
Curr Diab Rep. 2003 Aug;3(4):329-35.
Journal/Book/Conference Title
Current diabetes reports
Related Resources
PubMed ID
12866997
Repository Citation
Seung E, Mordes JP, Greiner DL, Rossini AA. (2003). Induction of tolerance for islet transplantation for type 1 diabetes. GSBS Student Publications. Retrieved from https://escholarship.umassmed.edu/gsbs_sp/1100