title: Immune reactions in patients with type I and with type II diabetes mellitus.
abstract: Since several data refer to the role of immune processes in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus, this study was performed to compare aspecific and specific immune reactions in type I- and in type II diabetic patients over a six month period. The percentage and the absolute number of SRBC-rosette forming active E(A), of theophylline-resistant E(Thr) and of ORCB-rosette forming T(M)-cell subsets proved to be elevated in newly diagnosed type I but reduced in type II diabetic patients. Also an elevated percentage of HLA-DR positive, activated T cells was found in the majority of recent-onset type I diabetics. In the presence of human pancreas extract, a significant inhibition of leucocyte migration, a pronounced and specific cytotoxic capacity of all lymphocyte subsets (especially of the T(G)-cells), and elevated antibody titers (passive haemagglutination, indirect immunofluorescence) were observed in almost all type I diabetics, but only in a few cases of type II patients. After six months, the frequency both of the aspecific and of the specific immune parameters was decreased in type I diabetics, but no changes were observed in the type II diabetics with a previously positive test. The latter patients required insulin therapy at the time of the second investigation. The leucocyte migration inhibition test and the lymphocyte-mediated cytotoxicity are suitable for studying in-vitro-sensitization against pancreatic tissue and they might predict later insulin-dependency in type II diabetic patients.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002464:Cell Migration Inhibition; D002648:Child; D003602:Cytotoxicity, Immunologic; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D007962:Leukocytes / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*
chemical_list: D006684:HLA-DR Antigens