title: Autoimmunity to islet cells in diabetes mellitus.
abstract: Current evidence indicates that Type I diabetes mellitus is a slowly progressive autoimmune disease resulting in complete beta-cell destruction in genetically susceptible individuals. Histocompatibility region genes are major determinants of genetic susceptibility, and more than 90% of Type I individuals express HLA alleles DR3 or DR4. Prior to clinical diabetes, islet-cell antibodies and activated T lymphocytes are found in conjunction with a slowly progressive loss of intravenous glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Present clinical research efforts are aimed at detection of susceptible individuals prior to the development of diabetes and selective immunotherapy to halt beta-cell destruction.
mesh_terms: D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis; D001327:Autoimmune Diseases; D003524:Cyclosporins / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000628:therapy; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000276:immunology*; D011247:Pregnancy; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D014430:Twins, Monozygotic; D014777:Virus Diseases / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D001323:Autoantibodies; D003524:Cyclosporins