Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that is triggered by an attack of the immune system. A part of these attacks is likely to be caused by viruses, against which researchers from Sweden and Finland now have a vaccine made.

Of six different strains of the Coxsackie B virus family, the colds and less heart muscle or brain skin inflammations cause, it is believed that they are also involved in the pathogenesis of type 1 Diabetes. Against these six strains, has now produced a vaccine, the mice protects against a virus-induced type 1 Diabetes. This, the scientists report in the journal "Science Advances".

The researchers tested the vaccine in rhesus monkeys are similar to humans. The vaccine was also good and a production of antibodies against the Coxsackie viruses. The scientists consider this as a sign that the vaccine protects against the viruses.

Gefäendangered children by vaccination schüsupport

If the vaccine is in early clinical trials as safe, it should be used in children, whose risk for type 1 Diabetes is hereditary conditionally increased. If the disease occurs among the vaccinated children less frequently or not at all, then it would be confirmed that Coxsackie viruses are a causative environmental factor. Prof. Dr. Malin Flodström-Tullberg from the Karolinska Institute said: "It would be fantastic if we could prevent the cases of type 1 Diabetes, of which we suspect to be caused by Coxsackie-virus, even if their exact number is difficult to estimate. At the same time, the vaccine would offer protection against some colds and inflammation of the heart muscle."

ZOU