Author: Thilini Mendis
Mendis, Thilini, 2023 Affinity purification and identification of unique, shared, anti-IA-2 B cell clonotypes: A proteomic approach to understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms underpinning autoimmunity in Type 1 diabetes, Flinders University, College of Medicine and Public Health
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Type 1 diabetes is characterised by the loss of pancreatic beta cells. Research suggests that the clinical onset of type 1 diabetes occurs due to islet autoimmunity, which is reflected by the presence of autoantibodies to various islet antigens, including Islet antigen 2 (IA-2A). Antibodies against pancreatic IA-2 is associated with rapid disease progression and are a readily used diagnostic marker which is found in about 80% of newly diagnosed T1D patients.
The aim of my study was to examine self-reactive clonotypic IA-2 autoantibodies isolated from sera of patients with type 1 diabetes in order to see any correlations in gene usage between patients. Providing insights into pathogenic pathways in type 1 diabetes and therapeutic approaches to address the disease process.
Keywords: Autoimmunity, Type 1 diabetes, IA-2, autoimmune diabetes, organ-specific autoimmune disease
Subject: Public Health thesis
Thesis type: Doctor of Philosophy
Completed: 2023
School: College of Medicine and Public Health
Supervisor: Dr. Michael Jackson