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The Betaverse was a place of productivity and glucose homeostasis.1 But that changed when an unknown environmental force triggered T1D.1,2 Damaged beta cells released antigens...T1D autoantibodies appeared…And the T cells came!3 Acting unusually…Hypervigilant. Autoreactive. DESTROYING. But destroying the very Betas they usually protect.3 With T cells on the scene, things can get ugly!4,5 Yes, insulin production is impaired, but Betas do so much more.6-8 Must regulate A1C.8 Must protect against retinopathy and nephropathy.3,8  Reduce hypoglycemic risk.3,8 But, activated T cells continue to destroy!3 Stay with us old friend! Some of us are better than none of us!8 To determine if Betas are under an immune attack, screen for islet autoantibodies.5 A better understanding of T1D and beta-cell dysfunction may help inform the development of novel treatment approaches.

BETA-CELL FUNCTION:

DETERMINES PATIENTS’ T1D JOURNEYS

Beta-cell function goes beyond making insulin and can affect an underlying autoimmune process of T1D.5,6,9

DRIVES T1D PATHOPHYSIOLOGY

Beta-cell destruction is driven by an autoimmune attack and could be a key factor in indicating how far a patient has progressed.5,9

DEFINES OUTCOMES IN T1D          

In T1D, even low beta-cell function can produce adequate endogenous insulin to maintain glycemic control.5,9

A better understanding of T1D and beta-cell dysfunction may help inform the development of novel treatment approaches.

T1D=type 1 diabetes.

References

  1. Podobnik B, Korošak D, Skelin Klemen M, et al. β cells operate collectively to help maintain glucose homeostasis. Biophys J. 2020;118(10):2588-2595.  
  2. Op de Beeck A, Eizirik DL. Viral infections in type 1 diabetes mellitus—why the β cells? Nat Rev Endocrinol. 2016;12(5):263-273.
  3. Katsarou A, Gudbjörnsdottir S, Rawshani A, et al. Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17016. 
  4. Latres E, Greenbaum CJ, Oyaski ML, et al. Evidence for C-peptide as a validated surrogate to predict clinical benefits in trials of disease-modifying therapies for type 1 diabetes. Diabetes. 2024;73(6):823-833.
  5. Scheiner G, Weiner S, Kruger D, Pettus J. Screening for type 1 diabetes: Role of the diabetes care and education specialist. ADCES Pract. 2022;10(5):20-25. 
  6. Röder PV, Wu B, Liu Y, Han W. Pancreatic regulation of glucose homeostasis. Exp Mol Med. 2016;48(3):e219. 
  7. American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. Diagnosis and classification of diabetes: standards of care in diabetes—2025. Diabetes Care. 2025;48(Suppl 1):S27-S49. 
  8. Sørensen JS, Johannesen J, Pociot F, et al. Residual β-cell function 3-6 years after onset of type 1 diabetes reduces risk of severe hypoglycemia in children and adolescents. Diabetes Care. 2013;36(11):3454-3459. 
  9. Insel RA, Dunne JL, Atkinson MA, et al. Staging presymptomatic type 1 diabetes: a scientific statement of JDRF, the Endocrine Society, and the American Diabetes Association. Diabetes Care. 2015;38(10):1964-1974.

MAT-US-2500681-v1.0-05/2025