New Undefined HLA Gene for Type 1 Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes has a strong genetic component. Of the many chromosomal regions thus far implicated in the development of the disease, the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region with its more than 220 genes is under intense scrutiny. Researchers at the Barbara Davis Center of Childhood Diabetes have identified a gene in the HLA region that apears to increase the risk of type 1 diabetes by 80 percent.
The study’s conclusion suggests a use for genetic information in treating diabetes:
…infants and children who have the highest genetic risk for diabetes as defined by this study are an important group that may now be considered for initial clinical trials to prevent childhood diabetes before the development of anti-islet autoantibodies.
I wonder what people with type 1 diabetes, like Amy at Diabetes Mine, think of genetic testing?
Newswise, September 4, 2006
Photo credit: NCIBI
Technorati Tags: diabetes, type 1 diabetes, diabetes mellitus, genetics, genes, dna, disease, illness, health, hla, human leukocyte antigen
Related Stories
POSTED IN: Genetics of Disease
.gif)
2 opinions for New Undefined HLA Gene for Type 1 Diabetes
Scott
Sep 14, 2006 at 10:05 am
I think offering genetic testing at this point in time, when there is no way to stop the disease from occurring is not benefitting anyone. I would just note that two NIH/NIDDK clinical trials were done to try and prevent type 1 (immune-mediated) diabetes from occurring, and both the injected insulin and oral insulin failed to stop the disease from occurring.
Hsien Hsien Lei, PhD
Sep 14, 2006 at 1:32 pm
Scott: Thanks for the comment and additional information. You’re absolutely right that genetic testing isn’t of much if it doesn’t add useful information to aid in prevention and treatment.
Have an opinion? Leave a comment: