In Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), the complex interplay of immune cells shifts the balance in favor of the development of lymphocytes, that attack structures of our own body: autoimmunity. These attacks resulting in an inflammation in the pancreas and, eventually, to the destruction of insulin producing beta cells.

Cytokines are small proteins that are released by cells and affect the behavior of other cells. They are oftentimes involved in promoting inflammation. We believe, that a network of “cytokines” determines the direction of the immune response towards the destruction of beta cells, and, as recent findings suggest, that this inflammatory milieu precedes the onset of the disease. However, it remains elusive so far, which cytokines are produced and when, and how they interact in such a complex network to sustain inflammation.

In this project, we use highly sophisticated chemical and bioinformational tools to detect important cytokines that are known to promote inflammation: Interleukin 1beta, Interleukin 6, and Tumor Necrosis Factor alpha in tissue pieces from diabetic patients, who have donated their pancreas for research.

This allows us to analyze both the presence of cytokines as well as their interactions during the very early days of diabetes at the single cell level and to create a so called “cytokine map” of the disease. Knowing which cytokine is released by which cell and when is a first step towards the development of very specific therapies for the treatment of diabetes and of other autoimmune diseases.