clhs sciblog

     Diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s immune system attacks cells in the pancreas which produce insulin. Research suggests that exposure to some forms of bacteria might actually prevent Type 1 diabetes. In a study, mice exposed to killed strains of tuberculosis or other-disease causing bacteria were protected against the development of Type 1 diabetes. However, if they were raised in a germ-free environment they were prone to develop severe diabetes. Also, mice exposed to harmless bacteria normally found in the human intestines were significantly less likely to form diabetes.

     Understanding how bacteria work on the immune system to influence whether diabetes and other autoimmune diseases occurs is very important. This knowledge could lead to ways to protect against diabetes and save lives.

["Friendly" bacteria protect against Type 1 diabtetes, Yale researchers find.]