Can NK cells be a therapeutic target in human type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is caused by the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells with consequent hyperglycemia and serious chronic complications. Both innate and adaptive immune responses participate in disease pathogenesis. Studies in animal models and in man have shown that NK cells are involved both in disease progression and in disease protection, thus suggesting that NK cells can represent a potential therapeutic target in type 1 diabetes, once the contribution of these cells to islet autoimmunity has been fully elucidated.
Dotta
Francesco
F
Diabetes Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Endocrine and Metabolic Sciences and Biochemistry, University of Siena, Siena, Italy. francesco.dotta@alice.it
Fondelli
Cecilia
C
Falorni
Alberto
A
D000818:Animals; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000209:etiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000628:therapy*; D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology*
D015395:Histocompatibility Antigens Class I; C099187:MHC class I-related chain A