Insulin B (9-23) – Other Categories

This insulin B-chain peptide binds to a class II histocompatibility complex (MHC) allele called I-Ag7. A number of autoimmune diseases has been linked to class II proteins encoded by the MHC. Type 1 diabetes, or insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, is a T cell-mediated disease that results in autoimmune destruction of pancreatic ÃŸ cells leading to hyperglycemia. This insulin β peptide may be a self-antigen candidate that could initiate the disease. Immunisation with this peptide in mice led to autoantibodies and insulitis. In the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse model, this peptide represents the dominant insulin peptide driving disease initiation. Insulin is a polypeptide composed of two peptide chains referred to as the alpha chain and β chain. Insulin is normally secreted rapidly from the β-cells of the pancreatic islets in response to nutrients absorbed after a meal. In type 1 diabetes mellitus, there may be an absolute insulin deficiency as a consequence of autoimmune destruction of the β-cells.