New Genetic Clues to Understanding Why Some People With Type 1 Diabetes Develop Serious Complications

Two serious complications—diabetic retinopathy (damage to blood vessels in the eyes) and chronic kidney disease—are leading causes of disability for people living with Type 1 diabetes. Yet not everyone develops these problems equally. Some people experience them early; others may never develop them at all. Understanding why could eventually help doctors identify who is at highest risk and intervene earlier.

Genetics likely plays a role in this variation. Different people carry different genetic variations that may make them more or less vulnerable to complications. However, previous research has produced conflicting results and incomplete answers—partly because many studies looked at too few people or studied only one population.

Scientists conducted a replication study—meaning they tested findings from previous research in a new group of people to see if the results held up. This approach is critical because it helps confirm which genetic discoveries are real and which may have been false leads.

The study included 618 people: 522 with Type 1 diabetes and 96 without diabetes as a control group. Among those with Type 1 diabetes, 232 had both retinopathy and chronic kidney disease, while 80 had neither complication. Researchers examined 17 specific genetic variations (called single-nucleotide polymorphisms, or SNPs) and compared how common they were across these groups.

One genetic variation, called rs2292239, located in a gene called ERBB3, showed a potential association with increased risk of developing complications. This finding suggests the gene may be involved in how complications develop, though researchers stopped short of drawing firm conclusions.

Because this is a replication study confirming earlier work, this result is more reliable than a single finding alone. However, it represents one piece of a much larger puzzle. The 17 variations examined in this study are not the full story—the genetic architecture of Type 1 diabetes complications is complex and involves many genes, each contributing small effects.

This type of research helps map the genetic landscape of Type 1 diabetes complications, but translation into practical benefit—like a test to predict who will develop complications, or a treatment to prevent them—remains far down the road. More studies in larger, diverse populations are needed to confirm these findings and understand how these genetic variations actually affect the body.

For now, the research confirms that genetics matter in determining risk for complications like retinopathy and kidney disease. As this field advances, it may eventually contribute to more personalized approaches to preventing or managing Type 1 diabetes complications.

Source: Biomedicines. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.