Additional information
by Jeffrey Bluestone (Author), Kevan Herold (Author), Lori Sussel (Author)
Type 1 diabetes,
sometimes called juvenile-onset or insulin-dependent diabetes, is an
autoimmune condition in which the β cells in the pancreas that produce
insulin are destroyed by the body's immune system. The disease affects
millions of individuals, but for more than 100 years, diet and insulin
injections were the only effective treatment. Recent discoveries,
however, have led to new therapies and finally the promise of a cure.
Written and edited by experts in the field, this new collection from Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in Medicine
discusses exciting research that has increased our understanding of the
mechanisms underlying development of type 1 diabetes. The contributors
discuss immunological, genetic and environmental contributions to
disease susceptibility, the part β cells play, and how interactions with
the immune system drive pathogenesis. They examine the failure of
immune tolerance, the role of T cells, specific features of
autoimmunity, and the importance of neoantigens in the disease, as well
as the important question of whether it is β cells or the immune system
that becomes dysfunctional first.
In addition, the volume
reviews the incredible progress in development of treatments for type 1
diabetes, including novel therapies that rebalance the immune system and
pancreatic islet-cell transplantation. The long journey to approval of
teplizumab to treat individuals at high risk is also covered. The new
book will therefore be of interest to all endocrinologists and
immunologists seeking to learn more about this disease but also those
working in drug development.
