Identifying the mechanisms by which enteroviruses cause diabetes

Purpose and goal

The primary goal was to develop novel tools and models that can be used to identify the mechanism(s) by which enteroviruses trigger diabetes in humans. The secondary goal was to develop novel therapeutic interventions against these viruses. The fellowship facilitated the career development of Dr. Olli Laitinen, by promoting his intersectional mobility. The fellowship strengthened scientific collaboration between Vactech Oy, Finland, research groups from the University of Tampere, Finland and Dr. Malin Flodström Tullberg´s research group at the Karolinska Institutet.

Results and expected effects

Dr. Laitinen developed novel tools for the analysis of enteroviruses from different clinical samples. In future these new tools may be used to give answers how enteroviruses may induce the development of type 1 diabetes. The research will be continued in a new THERDIAB project funded by The Finnish Funding Agancy for Innovation, in which in addition to enteroviruses´ pathogenic mechanisms the studies focuses on developing novel diagnostics and vaccines for enteroviruses. Therefore the outcome of this project in the long-term may be marked from the perspective of public health.

Approach and implementation

The work has progressed mainly according to plan. The new antibody based novel imaging tools were created and their analysis is in progress. The manuscript describing these imaging tools is in preparation. A cell based model for the one of the non-structural proteins was generated, which makes an excellent basis to develop also an animal model that more precisely reflect the development of type 1 diabetes in man. Dr. Laitinen has successfully integrated himself from the private sector to the Public sector during this project and currently he works currently in the University of Tampere.