Epigenetic changes can affect how our
genes work. Environmental factors, such as viral infections, can cause
epigenetic changes.
The findings in the epigenetic makeup
linked to diabetes were discovered in two new studies led by researchers from
Turku Bioscience at the University of Turku, Finland.
"We uncovered previously unknown,
early-onset epigenetic changes. They offer us new opportunities to further
develop ways to identify children who have a risk of developing type 1 diabetes
even before they get sick," says Professor Riitta Lahesmaa, Director of
Turku Bioscience and a group leader in the InFLAMES research flagship
initiative.
Earlier studies have shown that certain
antibodies detected in children's blood samples indicate an increased risk of
developing type 1 diabetes in the near future. So that medical professionals
could intervene in the disease even sooner, earlier disease indicators than the
antibodies are needed to detect the risk. This involves searching for
biomarkers indicating type 1 diabetes, and epigenetic changes could be such a
biomarker.
"Our observations on epigenetics
are extremely important as our goal is to develop methods and tools to prevent
the onset of type 1 diabetes in children who are at risk of developing the
disease," says Professor Laura Elo. Elo is the Director of the Medical
Bioinformatics Centre at Turku Bioscience and a group leader in the InFLAMES
research flagship.
Finnish children have an increased risk
of developing type 1 diabetes
In Finland, children's risk of
developing type 1 diabetes is the highest in the world. In addition to the
genetic susceptibility, environmental factors have a great significance for
developing the disease. The environmental factors include, for example,
excessive level of hygiene, biodiversity loss, and environmental toxins.
The newly published studies are based
on long-term interdisciplinary research collaboration with international
partners. The project has included doctors who are in charge of the patients
and also conduct clinical research, researchers in molecular medicine and
immunology, and experts in computational science. In the studies, researchers
analysed longitudinal samples with deep sequencing covering the entire genome
as well as with computational methods and artificial intelligence.
"Our research was enabled by close
collaboration with Professor Mikael Knip from the University of Helsinki, who
coordinates a study funded by the EU. He is also one of the key scientists in
the national Type 1 Diabetes Prediction and Prevention (DIPP) project which was
a partner in the other study," highlights Professor Lahesmaa.
The studies were funded by the Academy
of Finland, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (USA), European Union,
Business Finland, Novo Nordisk, and InFLAMES Flagship.
Story
Source:
Materials provided by University of
Turku. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.
World Journal of Case Reports and Clinical Images (ISSN 2835-1568)
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