The pancreatic islets of diabetics are invaded by inflammatory cells. Islet destruction requires CD44 (brown) not for this invasion but for delivering apoptotic signals.

NAOR/NAS

CD44 is implicated in a number of autoimmune diseases, including insulin-dependent diabetes. Despite CD44's proinflammatory capacity, however, inflammation might not be its only pathological mechanism. According to a presentation by David Naor (Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel), in diabetes CD44 might also transmit apoptotic signals that kill off insulin-producing pancreatic cells.

CD44 is a widely expressed cell surface protein that, among other functions, promotes cell migration by binding to extracellular matrix components. Its abundance on lymphocytes and neutrophils enables these cells to exit blood vessels and migrate to inflammation sites.

CD44 was implicated in diabetes when it was shown that blockade of CD44 activity delayed or relieved symptoms in a mouse model of type I diabetes called NOD. Naor and colleagues...

The Rockefeller University Press
2007
The Rockefeller University Press
2007
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