An immune system component may be able to reverse the progress of type 1 diabetes in its early stages, Swedish researchers have reported.
The researchers have been testing interleukin-35, an immune system protein that acts against inflammation.
So far the treatment has successfully been tested on laboratory mice.
Reserachers said it reversed or cured disease, maintained a normal blood glucose level and restored immune tolerance of the beta cells in the pancreas.
The findings have been reported in the journal Scientific Reports.
Researcher Dr Kailash Singh said: "To the best of our knowledge, we are the first to show that IL-35 can reverse established Type 1 diabetes in two different mouse models and that the concentration of the particular cytokine is lower in Type 1 diabetes patients than in healthy individuals.
"Also, we are providing an insight into a novel mechanism: how immune regulatory T cells change their fate under autoimmune conditions."
Singh, K. et al. Interleukin-35 administration counteracts established murine type1 diabetes – possible involvement of regulatory T cells. Sci. Rep. 5, 12633; doi: 10.1038/srep12633 (2015).
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