title: IFN-alpha can both protect against and promote the development of type 1 diabetes.
abstract: Viral infection has been hypothesized to be one of the environmental triggers for the development of type 1 diabetes. Infection induces a large amount of interferon-alpha (IFN-alpha) produced by dendritic cells and other cells. To test the role of IFN-alpha in the development of diabetes, we have used three different experimental approaches in both diabetes-prone and -resistant animal models for type 1 diabetes. Our results suggested that a viral mimic or IFN-alpha can either suppress or promote the development of autoimmune diabetes, depending on the model system. It is likely that IFN-alpha plays a complex role in the etiology of type 1 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cellular and Molecular Medicine, Bristol University, Bristol, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: F Susan
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Wen
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019610:Cytoprotection / Q000235:genetics*; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens / Q000235:genetics; D015994:Incidence; D007328:Insulin / Q000235:genetics; D016898:Interferon-alpha / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D008822:Mice, Transgenic; D011070:Poly I-C / Q000494:pharmacology; D011401:Promoter Regions, Genetic
chemical_list: D006683:HLA-DQ Antigens; C109756:HLA-DQ8 antigen; D007328:Insulin; D016898:Interferon-alpha; D011070:Poly I-C