Plasma proteome of children developing type 1 diabetes

Identification of early changes in the plasma proteome of children developing type 1 diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. The earliest sign that they are at risk of developing T1D is the presence of specific proteins, called autoantibodies, in the blood. These autoantibodies target cells in the pancreas.

When insulin autoantibodies (IAA) appear as the first detected autoantibodies in young children, the disease progresses rapidly as the developing pancreases are more vulnerable. In our prior research, we studied blood samples from 46 children who had IAA as their first autoantibody and compared them to 92 other children of the same age and risk profile who did not have autoantibodies.

Using advanced protein analysis techniques to measure samples taken before, during, and after the development of IAA, we identified 101 proteins that were significantly different between the two groups. These proteins may serve as early indicators of risk for T1D. Our next step is to validate these findings by studying another group of children with similar characteristics and compare with published data concerning models of suspected triggers of autoimmunity.

We believe that the validation of the changes in these proteins in children at genetic risk for T1D could provide important clues about how the body's immune system starts attacking insulin-producing cells. Understanding these early changes could help pave the way for interventions that might prevent or delay the onset of diabetes in at-risk children.