Immune System Remodelling by Prenatal Betamethasone: Effects on beta-Cells and Type 1 Diabetes

Autor: Perna-Barrull, D, Gieras, A, Rodriguez-Fernandez, S, Tolosa, E, Vives-Pi, M
Rok vydání: 2020
Předmět:
Zdroj: Frontiers in Endocrinology
r-IGTP. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica del Instituto de Investigación Germans Trias i Pujol
instname
ISSN: 1664-2392
Popis: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a multifactorial disease of unknown aetiology. Studies focusing on environment-related prenatal changes, which might have an influence on the development of T1D, are still missing. Drugs, such as betamethasone, are used during this critical period without exploring possible effects later in life. Betamethasone can interact with the development and function of the two main players in T1D, the immune system and the pancreatic beta-cells. Short-term or persistent changes in any of these two players may influence the initiation of the autoimmune reaction against beta-cells. In this review, we focus on the ability of betamethasone to induce alterations in the immune system, impairing the recognition of autoantigens. At the same time, betamethasone affects beta-cell gene expression and apoptosis rate, reducing the danger signals that will attract unwanted attention from the immune system. These effects may synergise to hinder the autoimmune attack. In this review, we compile scattered evidence to provide a better understanding of the basic relationship between betamethasone and T1D, laying the foundation for future studies on human cohorts that will help to fully grasp the role of betamethasone in the development of T1D.
Databáze: OpenAIRE