Anti-CD38 autoimmunity in children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus.
OBJECTIVE
To test for anti-CD38 autoimmunity in children with newly-diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1).


METHODS
Serum anti-CD38 autoantibodies were detected by Western blot in 270 children (130 girls, 140 boys, mean age 8 +/- 4 years) with newly-diagnosed DM1 and 179 gender- and age-matched non-diabetic children. In 126 diabetic children, another blood sample was obtained 15 +/- 4 months after the diagnosis.


RESULTS
Anti-CD38 autoantibody titers at least 3 SD above the mean value for the control group were found in 4.4% of children with DM1 vs 0.6% of controls (chi2 = 5.8, p <0.016). No statistical differences were observed between anti-CD38 positive and negative patients in terms of phenotype. At follow-up, of six diabetic children who were positive for anti-CD38 antibodies, two were new cases. A positive correlation was found between the antibody titer of diabetic sera at diagnosis and follow up (r = 0.46, p <0.0001).


CONCLUSIONS
An autoimmune reaction against CD38, a protein expressed in human islets, is associated with newly-diagnosed DM1. In children with DM1, CD38 autoimmunity increases with time and persists.
Pupilli
C
C
Endocrinology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera Careggi and University of Florence, Italy.
Antonelli
A
A
Iughetti
L
L
D'Annunzio
G
G
Cotellessa
M
M
Vanelli
M
M
Okamoto
H
H
Lorini
R
R
Ferrannini
E
E
D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1 / Q000276:immunology*; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood; D015551:Autoimmunity; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male
D001323:Autoantibodies; D051997:ADP-ribosyl Cyclase 1