title: Immunology of type 1 diabetes. Intervention and prevention strategies.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bertera
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giannoukakis
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Robbins
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Trucco
mesh_terms: 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