IL-35 Protein

07.11.2024

IL-35 Protein

Why in the news?

Scientists at the Institute of Advanced Study in Science and Technology (IASST) in Guwahati, an autonomous institute under the Department of Science and Technology, have discovered a specific protein IL-35 that can aid in new treatments for type I and autoimmune diabetes mellitus.

About IL-35 Protein:

• It is a specific protein of IL-12α and IL-27β chains.
• It helps protect against type 1 and autoimmune diabetes.
• It regulates macrophage activation, T-cell proteins and regulatory B cells.
• It inhibited pancreatic beta cell-attacking immune cells. Additionally, IL-35 lowered particular immune cells that produce inflammatory chemicals, reducing pancreatic cell infiltration, a key contributor in type 1 diabetes and autoimmune diabetes mellitus.

What is autoimmune diabetes mellitus?

• Autoimmune diabetes mellitus or T1DM is an organ-specific autoimmune disease.
• It affects the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells after an inflammatory process, leading to a chronic deficiency of insulin in genetically susceptible individuals.
• It ultimately results in lifelong dependence on exogenous insulin.
• It is a complex multifactorial disease in which both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors promote the autoimmune responses against beta cells.
• Several environmental risk factors have been suggested as candidate triggers of islet autoimmunity, including certain viruses higher birth weight, infant weight gain, dysbiosis of the gut microbiota and various dietary factors (e.g., vitamin D deficiency, omega-3 fatty acid deficiency, high milk consumption)
• There are no preventive or immunosuppressive therapies that can prevent damage or disease manifestations.

                                                                        Source: PIB

Consider the following statements regarding the IL-35 Protein:

Statement-I:It helps to protect against type 1 and autoimmune diabetes.

Statement-II:It increases particular immune cells that produce inflammatory chemicals in pancreas.

Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?

A.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.

B.Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct, and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.

C.Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

D.Statement-I is incorrect, but Statement-II is correct.

Answer C