Anti-37kDa antibodies are associated with the development of IDDM in individuals with islet cell antibodies.
Antibodies directed against a beta-cell specific antigen with a molecular weight of 37 kDa have recently been described. These anti-37kDa antibodies were measured by the immunoprecipitation technique in individuals at risk for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), with islet cell antibodies (ICA) greater than 20 Juvenile Diabetes Foundation units (JDFU). These subjects were recruited from large population-based cohorts at various degrees of risk for developing the disease before adulthood. Anti-37kDa antibodies were measured in 25 ICA-positive first degree relatives with ICA greater than 20 JDFU, identified from a baseline cohort of 1,185 relatives (age: 0-75 years). Four relatives were positive for anti-37kDa antibodies since the first determination onwards. These relatives developed IDDM in a 2-year follow-up period. We included 300 children with an IDDM parent, and aged less than 7 years, in a prospective survey for the prediction of IDDM. Five (1.6%) showed ICA greater than 20 JDFU. None of them were found to be positive for anti-37kDa antibodies, and none have progressed to diabetes during a 2-year follow-up. Among a baseline cohort of 13,380 schoolchildren (age: 6-17 years), 28 (0.2%) were found to have ICA greater than 20 JDFU. One boy was positive for anti-37kDa antibodies on two consecutive occasions and developed IDDM after a 10-month follow-up. No other schoolchildren with ICA greater than 20 JDFU were found to be positive for anti-37kDa antibodies. Altogether 40 other ICA-positive sera (with titres < 20 JDFU) were found to be negative for anti-37kDa antibodies.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Ongagna
J C
JC
INSERM CJF 93-13, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France.
Levy-Marchal
C
C
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000276:immunology*; D008297:Male; D008970:Molecular Weight; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors
D001323:Autoantibodies; C024211:islet cell antibody