Biopolymers and cell. 2003; 19 (1): 11 - 18

The insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, potential of gene therapy

T. G. Titok

The gene engineering approaches to the Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) treatment are presented in t/ie review. On the one hand, some studies are directed to provide the insulin de novo synthesis in non-specific cells by transferring the insulin gene into them to compensate the function of destroyed pancreatic β-cells. The search for the target cells and providing them with essential qualities such as sensitivity to glucose and production of functionally matured protein in vivo are also discussed. On the other hand, it was shown a possibility of IDDM treatment by transferring some cytokine genes to Th-cells, that caused changes in the subpopulation ratio of T-cells composition. In such a way it is possible to interrupt or balance the specific immune process in the island cells, which contributes substantially to the I type diabetes pathogenesis.