Cytokines have been in the focus of scientific interest for more than a decade now. Analyzing their expression has enabled a better understanding the pathogenesis of various disease. An important role for cytokines in the pathogenesis of autoimmune diabetes has been put forward over the recent years. Th1 cytokines (tumour necrosis factor-α, TNF-α; interferon-γ, INF-γ and interleukin- 1β, IL-1β) are often associated with autoimmune diseases such as type 1 diabetes, whereas Th2 cytokines (IL-10 and IL-4) play a role in helminthic infections and allergy. In autoimmune diabetes, Th1 cytokines have been associated with a destructive insulitis and Th2 cytokines with a non-destructive insulitis and protection against disease. Cytokines increase antigen presentation on islet cells. The increase of antigen presentation increases the probability of immune surveillance as well as the presentation of auto antigens by islet beta cells. Growth factors are proteins that bind to receptors on the cell surface, with the primary result of activating cellular proliferation and /or differentiation. Many growth factors are quite versatile, stimulating cellular division in numerous different cell types; while others are specific to a particular cell type. The following are the commonly known growth factors like epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), fibroblast growth factors (FGFs), transforming growth factor α (TGF-α), transforming growth factor- β (TGF-β), erythropoietin (EPO), insulin like growth factor-I& II (IGF-1&II) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). For future prospective cytokines and growth factor is very important in diabetes and its treatment.
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