Investigating Polyphenol Nanoformulations for Therapeutic Targets against Diabetes Mellitus

Figure 2

Insulin-secreting cells located in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes is caused by the immune system recognizing and targeting proteins on the surface of beta cells, possibly mistaking them for proteins on an invading organism. The sequence of events that leads to type 1 diabetes is intricate and poorly understood from there. Insulitis is produced by white blood cells known as cytotoxic or “killer” T cells invading the pancreatic islets and inflaming them. Over the course of years, the beta cells are gradually eliminated. Diabetes symptoms begin to appear after most of them have faded. Researchers seek to learn more about the immune system’s attack on beta cells in order to develop techniques to stop the process and prevent or delay the formation of diabetes.