Jun 10, 2008 - A new test to identify cases of type 1 diabetes may soon be available thanks to technological advances. The technology has been developed by Antigen Express, the wholly-owned subsidiary of NASDAQ-listed oral insulin delivery company Generex Biotechnology.
Currently, Type I diabetes can only be diagnosed by the presence of antibodies when the disease is already well underway.
Investigators were aware of Antigen Express technology whereby antigenic peptides linked to the "Ii-key" fragment of the MHC class II associated invariant chain enhances the presentation of those antigenic peptides.
Ii-Key/peptide 'hybrids' are able to bind directly to MHC class II molecules on the test cell's surface, thus obviating the need for antigen internalization within cells.
Ii-Key/peptide 'hybrids' are able to bind directly to MHC class II molecules on the test cell's surface, thus obviating the need for antigen internalization within cells.
Earlier studies indicated that chemically linking the antigenic peptide to Ii-key through a flexible chemical linking agent could improve recognition of antigens, and may lead to a rapid, reliable assay for individuals with, or at risk for, Type-1 diabetes.
The antigen used in the study was GAD65, a protein that frequently triggers the autoimmune response in some diabetics. Researchers linked an antigenic peptide derived from GAD65 to the Ii-Key fragment, which is known to enhance presentation and binding of antigenic peptides directly to MHC Class II receptors on the cell surface... Generex Biotechnology's Press Release -
