Researchers from The Westmead Institute for Medical Research are looking at an array of potential triggers that could increase the risk of type 1 diabetes. Results of a recent study have shown how exposure to coxsackievirus can increase this risk. Coxsackievirus is a common virus that causes diseases including myocarditis, Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease and gastroenteritis.<\/p>\n The study discovered a key transcription factor (proteins that help turn specific genes on or off) called hypoxia inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1A) is behind this increase in risk. Researchers found that mice missing HIF-1A in beta cells (\u03b2-cells) had a much higher risk of type 1 diabetes after infection with viruses, including coxsackievirus. Lack of \u03b2-cell HIF-1A increased \u03b2-cell death and, in turn, increased the incidence of type 1 diabetes.<\/p>\n Lead researcher Professor Jenny Gunton said the findings highlight the key role \u03b2-cells play in the risk of diabetes. \u201cIf they are healthy, then \u03b2-cells recover normally after stresses like viral infections, and diabetes does not develop. But, if \u03b2-cells don\u2019t cope well with these stresses, it can trigger the immune process that leads to type 1 diabetes.<\/p>\n \u201cOur study also showed that the increase in diabetes risk can result from exposure to other stresses, including toxins. So \u03b2-cells play a crucial part in preventing their own death when faced with environmental triggers for type 1 diabetes.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have now identified that HIF-1A is an important factor in this decision about whether the cells recover, or die. This is the first \u03b2-cell specific model to show increased risk of type 1 diabetes with a range of triggers,\u201d said Professor Gunton.<\/p>\n The findings highlight HIF-1A as a potential pathway for the development of new preventative measures and suggest the possibility that a vaccine for coxsackievirus could help prevent type 1 diabetes in at-risk people.<\/p>\n This comes at a crucial time, as rates of type 1 diabetes are increasing worldwide.<\/p>\n Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the immune system attacks and kills \u03b2-cells in the pancreas. These are the only cells in the body that make insulin, which we need to control our blood glucose (sugar) levels.<\/p>\n Professor Gunton said, \u201cWhile there is a strong genetic component to type 1 diabetes, genes alone cannot explain the rising global rates of type 1 diabetes. \u00a0Currently, the only cures for type 1 diabetes are whole pancreas or islet transplantation, and people have to take insulin for the rest of their lives. So potential preventative strategies are exciting.\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/09\/Jenny-Gunton-in-lab-1.jpg\")