The serum concentration of βCGRP is novel marker for type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE: Dysregulation of neuropeptides, such as calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is thought to play significant roles in diabetes. In the present study, we investigated the importance of beta-calcitonin gene related peptide (βCGRP, CALCB) in the development of type 1 diabetes (T1D). METHODS: There were fifty-eight patients with T1D and 320 age and gender-matched healthy controls in Chinese Han population were included, the genotypes of CALCB were analyzed by direct sequencing and the clinicopathologic parameters of patients were also evaluated. RESULTS: Among the SNPs genotyped, the C allele of CALCB_rs3829220 T (c.224G + 846) and rs382922 C (c.224G + 848) were positively associated with T1D (OR = 2.67 and 3.42, respectively). Serum βCGRP of patients is 1.58 times higher compare to normal control. Immunohistochemistry analysis revealed βCGRP expression in the infiltrating lymphocytes of pancreas from T1D mice as compared to normal control. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the presence of βCGRP is a probable molecular basis for the initial events triggered in T1D.