title: Retroviruses and diabetes in animal models: hypotheses for the induction of the disease.
abstract: This review examines the association between retroviruses and diabetes in the mouse model, the role of retroviruses in the pathogenesis of Type 1 diabetes and the mechanisms by which retroviruses can induce an autoimmune reaction. Three putative mechanisms are considered: the expression of retroviral protein(s) on the beta-cell surface as the first step in immune response against beta cells; the homology of a retroviral product with a self antigen inducing a cross-reacting autoimmune response (molecular mimicry); and a retroviral product showing homology with interleukin-2 and inducing T-cell activation against beta-cell antigens and loss of tolerance. These findings are discussed for their possible implications in the pathogenesis of human Type 1 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Clinica Medica II, Policlinico Umberto I, Roma, Italy.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Signore
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Procaccini
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Chianelli
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Pozzilli
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D004195:Disease Models, Animal; D006801:Humans; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D051379:Mice; D008815:Mice, Inbred Strains; D008954:Models, Biological; D012190:Retroviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D014764:Viral Proteins