Type 1 Diabetes Treatment

About

Serpin B13 offers potential treatment for type 1 diabetes Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic, incurable disease affecting 1.5 million Americans with an estimated 40,000 new cases each year. T1D is treated with regular administration of insulin, however the rising cost of insulin has led patients to ration treatment with devastating effects and premature deaths related to such non-adherence are on the rise. T1D results from an autoimmune response in which the body attacks its own insulin-producing pancreatic beta-cells. As a result, the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Researchers at the University of Minnesota seeking to find new interventions for diabetes identified serpin B13 proteinase inhibitor as a potential target for diabetes treatment. The scientists developed a monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting serpin B13 (clone B29) that shows promise as a novel treatment strategy for T1D. When administered to diabetes prone mice, the antibody reduces the number of inflammatory cells (associated with an auto-immune response) and leads to increased proliferation of beta cells in the animals. This approach is particularly promising as a human therapeutic since studies in humans have shown that natural serpin B13 autoantibodies are associated with positive outcomes in T1D. Building on the efficacy observed with the mouse mAb, it is anticipated that a humanized version of the antibody will prevent immunogenic effects while offering therapeutic relief. May also treat inflammatory and/or central nervous system diseases Due to its ability to reduce inflammation and induce tissue regeneration, this novel humanized mouse monoclonal antibody (mAb) targeting serpin B13 may also prove therapeutic for inflammatory and/or central nervous system diseases (e.g., bone fractures, ulcerated skin lesions/wounds, multiple sclerosis, lupus, hair loss, etc.).