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

1型糖尿病（T1 D）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。目前的胰岛素治疗不能预防严重继发性并发症的发生。我们已经发现，β细胞需要一种复合糖（硫酸乙酰肝素; HS）才能生存，当一种降解HS的酶乙酰肝素酶被抑制时，T1 D就会被预防。了解这些机制将确定预防T1 D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.