From the September 2000 Scientific American Magazine | 0 comments

STOPPING AUTOIMMUNITY ( Preview )

More from the Magazine

September
2000 Issue
Science and the Citizen Beyond the First Draft
Science and the Citizen Gully Gee Whiz
Profile Save the Muntjacs
Buy the Digital Edition

The autoimmune reaction responsible for type I diabetes arises when the immune system mistakes proteins that are made by pancreatic beta cells (the insulin producers) for foreign invaders. The resulting attack, targeted to the offending proteins, or "autoantigens," destroys the beta cells (above). Eating small amounts of autoantigens quites the process in diabetic mice, for unclear reasons. The autoantigens might act in part by switching on "suppressor" cells of the immune system (inset), which then block the destructive activities of their cousins (below).

Already a Digital subscriber? Sign-in Now
If your institution has site license access, enter here.

Read Comments (0) | Post a comment

You Might Also Like

Discuss This Article

Click here to submit your comment.

VIEW:



	Email:
	Name:
	Address:
	Address 2:
	City:
	State:

Subscription Center

World Changing Ideas

Video ContestInnovation is the key to a better future. Enter your own World Changing Ideas videos in our contest.

Editor's Pick

Time to Ban Production of Nuclear Weapons MaterialA new global treaty that cuts off production of plutonium and highly enriched uranium for nuclear weapons could jump-start nuclear disarmament and help prevent proliferation