Pathogenesis of insulin-dependent diabetes: a role for activated T lymphocytes.
Expression of HLA DR antigens on T lymphocytes indicates that these cells are actively involved in an immune response. Raised levels of activated T lymphocytes were found in 14 of 15 recently diagnosed but in only 7 of 28 long-standing insulin-dependent diabetics. 9 of the recently diagnosed patients retested 6 months later still had high levels of activated T lymphocytes. Even long-standing insulin-dependent diabetics had significantly higher levels of activated T lymphocytes than non-insulin-dependent diabetics and healthy controls. 5 of 7 unaffected co-twins of recently diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetics had high levels of activated T cells; this increase persisted in 2 retested 6 months later, when mildly impaired glucose tolerance had developed. These results confirm that there is an active cellular immune reaction in newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetics which may precede the disease and persist for at least 6 months after its appearance.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000276:immunology; D004200:Diseases in Twins; D005260:Female; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose; D006684:HLA-DR Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II