Mechanism of protection of islet beta cells from T1D by heparan sulfate

1型糖尿病（T1D）是一种自身免疫性疾病，它破坏胰腺中产生胰岛素的β细胞。目前的胰岛素治疗并不能预防严重的继发性并发症的发生。我们发现β细胞的生存需要一种复合糖（硫酸肝素；HS），当一种降解硫酸肝素的酶（肝素酶）被抑制时，T1D就会被阻止。了解这些机制将确定预防T1D进展的新治疗策略。

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease which destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Current insulin therapy does not prevent the development of serious secondary complications. We have discovered that beta cells require a complex sugar (heparan sulfate; HS) for their survival and that T1D is prevented when an enzyme, heparanase, that degrades HS is inhibited. Understanding these mechanisms will identify new therapeutic strategies for preventing T1D progression.