Immunology of type 1 diabetes. Intervention and prevention strategies.
Type 1 diabetes is the outcome of a progressive and selective destruction of insulin-producing cells in the pancreatic islets of Langerhans. The precise cause and mechanism(s) that trigger the insulin-producing cell destruction are still unclear, although it is well accepted that an autoimmune process plays a central role in diabetes development among genetically susceptible children. Additionally, certain viral infections, especially those caused by Coxsackievirus B, have been associated with the onset of type 1 diabetes. Possible gene therapy-based prevention and intervention strategies are discussed, based on the most accepted models of type 1 diabetes pathogenesis.
Bertera
S
S
Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania, USA.
Alexander
A
A
Giannoukakis
N
N
Robbins
P D
PD
Trucco
M
M
D001327:Autoimmune Diseases / Q000276:immunology; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008213:Lymphocyte Activation; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology