Abstract
The breakdown of immune tolerance against islet antigens causes type 1 diabetes (T1D). The antigens associated with adult-onset T1D (AT1D) remain largely undefined. It is possible that AT1D patients display a unique type of CD4+ T cells specific for a certain islet antigen. Here we analyzed the cytokine production profiles of CD4+ helper T (Th) cells that are specific for three islet antigens; GAD65, preproinsulin, and IGRP in patients with AT1D, juvenile-onset T1D (JT1D), and age-, gender- and human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-matched control adults. While IGRP-specific Th cells in AT1D patients were dominantly Th1 cells, IGRP-specific Th cells in control adults and JT1D patients were dominantly Th2 and T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cells. Notably, the frequency of IGRP-specific Tr1 cells was significantly lower in AT1D patients than in control adults and JT1D patients. In conclusion, our study suggests that IGRP-specific Th cells play a unique pathogenic role in AT1D.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 270-277 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Clinical Immunology |
Volume | 161 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 1 Dec 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- CD4 T cells
- Islet antigens
- Islet-specific glucose 6 phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein
- T regulatory type 1 (Tr1) cells
- Type 1 diabetes