Pharmaceutical targeting of the cannabinoid type 1 receptor impacts the crosstalk between immune cells and islets to reduce insulitis in humans – published online 12/06/2024

Elise Wreven, María Soledad Ruiz de Adana, Stéphan Hardivillé, Valery Gmyr, Julie Kerr‑Conte, Mikael Chetboun, Gianni Pasquetti, Nathalie Delalleau, Julien Thévenet, Anaïs Coddeville, María José Vallejo Herrera, Liad Hinden, Inmaculada Concepción Benavides Espínola, Mireia Gómez Duro, Lourdes Sanchez Salido, Francisca Linares, Francisco‑Javier Bermudez‑Silva, Joseph Tam, Caroline Bonner, Josephine M. Egan, Gabriel Olveira, Natalia Colomo, François Pattou, Isabel Gonzalez‑Mariscal

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which immune cells attack insulin-producing beta cells. This pathological process, called insulitis, gradually destroys these vital cells, leading to lifelong use of exogenous insulin. Recent therapies have focused on targeting immune system overactivity, but their curative capacity is limited. Because of the critical role beta cells play in the onset of type 1 diabetes, there is a need for treatments targeting both the immune system and beta cells. In this issue, Wreven et al (https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-024-06193-6) provide evidence that the cannabinoid type 1 receptor plays a key role in the initiation of insulitis in humans, and its blockade with specific compounds ameliorates inflammation, prevents insulitis and protects beta cell function. The authors propose that targeting the cannabinoid type 1 receptor could therefore be a promising new treatment for type 1 diabetes.