An autoantibody in type 1 diabetes that mediates autonomic complications

Funding Activity

Website
http://purl.org/au-research/grants/nhmrc/426711

Funding Status
Closed

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Funded Activity Summary

Type 1 diabetes is a chronic autoimmune disease characterised by destruction of insulin producing cells in the pancreas. One of the most common and serious complications of type 1 diabetes is disruption of the autoimmune nervous system, and once symptoms appear the 5-year mortalityrate is approximately 50%. Symptoms of autonomic dysfunction can be extensive, and involve the stomach, intestine, bladder, heart and reproductive organs. Currently, the management of autonomic dysfunction remains primative due to our poor understanding of the mechanisms underlaying the disease. Recent work from our group has identified an excitatory autoantibody (an antibody against the self) to calcium channels in patients with type 1 diabetes. The anti-calcium channel autoantibody profoundly disrupts gut and bladder function by interfering with autonomic regulation of smooth muscle within these organs. The anti-calcium channel autoantibody is the first functional autoantibody to be detected in type 1 diabetes, and represents a conceptual advance in our understanding of immune mechanisms in this disease. Using animal models and a panel of novel, functional assays of colon, stomach and bladder we will investigate how the anti-calcium channel autoantibodies contribute to autonomic dysfunction in type 1 diabetes. Understanding the mechanisms by which this autoantibody effects autonomic regulation of organ function will enable the development of new therapeutic strategies for better management of patients.

Funded Activity Details

Start Date: 01-01-2007

End Date: 01-01-2009

Funding Scheme: NHMRC Project Grants

Funding Amount: $254,591.00

Funder: National Health and Medical Research Council

Research Topics

ANZSRC Field of Research (FoR)

Autoimmunity

ANZSRC Socio-Economic Objective (SEO)

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Other Keywords

Autoantibodies | Autoimmune Diseases | Autoimmune diabetes | Autoimmunity | Diabetes | Diabetic complications

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