A researcher is working on a ground-breading methodology to treat type-1 diabetes. He hopes that he could start early clinical trial on this new therapy in about 10 years.

Professor Elliott and his team at Living Cell Technologies are involved in research which involves injecting cells taken from neonatal piglets and coated with a gel to protect them from the human immune system.

The cells then secrete protective proteins responsible for the repair and protection of cells.

"This is a entirely new approach," Prof Elliott told the Herald yesterday.

"We know that these cells can protect the brain against the whole range of noxious toxic events.

"It occurred to me, `How about diabetes', because around each (cluster of insulin-producing cells) is a collection of nerve cells, a bit like a mini-brain. They have the same sort of insulating cells and nerve plexuses that the brain has.

"I knew from other people's work that that's the site where the attack starts on insulin-producing cells, in the nerve tissue.

"I thought, `Maybe we can protect that and prevent diabetes'. That's the way it's panned out in the mouse."

Work is now being done on perfecting the technique by finding the right dose and the right age at which to administer it.

Prof Elliott said all children could be tested through a straightforward finger-prick blood test to find those at high risk. They could then be given the therapy.

"I think this is an immensely safe procedure and it's one that's certainly worth pursuing."


Posted by: Evelyn    Source

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