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AUTOIMMUNE MECHANISM OF T1D

T1D IS MORE THAN A LACK OF INSULIN...

Beta-cell function defines its underlying autoimmune process.1,2

AN AUTOIMMUNE ATTACK DRIVES BETA-CELL DESTRUCTION

Ongoing, underlying beta-cell destruction by autoreactive T cells is a critical marker of progressive autoimmune T1D.1,2

BETA-CELL DESTRUCTION​ IS A WARNING SIGN​​

Evidence shows that beta-cell destruction may begin as early as 4-6 years before clinical symptoms appear.​3

T1D=type 1 diabetes.

MECHANISM OF DISEASE

An unknown environmental force is thought to trigger T1D4,5

Clusters of animated beta cells; Must protect against retinopathy; Must regulate A1C; And nephropathy; Reduce hypoglycemic risk
ROLE OF BETA CELL IN GLYCEMIC REGULATION

Damaged beta cells release antigens, and T1D autoantibodies appear6

T cells act unusually, destroying the beta cells they usually protect6

A cluster of animated beta cells with worried expressions

Reduced beta-cell function and loss of beta-cell mass leads to impaired insulin production7,8

References

  1. 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.  
  2. 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. 
  3. Chen C, Cohrs CM, Stertmann J, Bozsak R, Speier S. Human beta cell mass and function in diabetes: recent advances in knowledge and technologies to understand disease pathogenesis. Mol Metab. 2017;6(9):943-957.
  4. 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.
  5. Filippi CM, von Herrath MG. Viral trigger for type 1 diabetes. Diabetes. 2008;57(11):2863-2871. 
  6. Katsarou A, Gudbjörnsdottir S, Rawshani A, et al. Type 1 diabetes mellitus. Nat Rev Dis Primers. 2017;3:17016. 
  7. Röder PV, Wu B, Liu Y, Han W. Pancreatic regulation of glucose homeostasis. Exp Mol Med. 2016;48(3):e219. 
  8. 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.

MAT-US-2504444-v1.0-05/2025