Computer Simulation Showing Binding of X Cell Protein (IMAGE)

Johns Hopkins Medicine

Computer Simulation Showing Binding of X Cell Protein

Caption

Computer simulation showing the extremely tight binding to an immune system cell of a peptide (blue) produced by the newly discovered "X lymphocyte." The protein may direct the mistaken destruction of healthy insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, and in turn, cause type 1 diabetes. This autoimmune response is 10 times stronger than that seen with a weaker-binding, lab-engineered insulin mimic (red) that is itself 1,000 times more immune stimulating than normal insulin.

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IBM Thomas J. Watson Research Center

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