Abstract
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease in which the insulin-producing β cells in the pancreatic islets are selectively eliminated. T cells specific for β-cell antigens are the mediators of this precise cellular destruction. However, antibodies to β-cell proteins are also generated and may be used for predicting disease in at-risk populations. Over the past two decades, numerous β-cell proteins and lipids have been implicated as autoantigens in patients or in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, a well-studied animal model of T1D. Here, we present a review of these antigens, accompanied by their T-cell epitopes, where known, and a discussion of our current understanding of why particular self-proteins become disease-inciting antigens. Although two dozen β-cell antigens have been identified to date, few of these have been confirmed to be recognized by pathogenic T cells early in the disease process. Further identification and characterization of initiating β-cell antigens targeted by pathogenic T cells should be a priority for future studies.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 359-377 |
Number of pages | 19 |
Journal | Tissue Antigens |
Volume | 62 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Nov 2003 |
Keywords
- Antigens
- Autoimmunity
- CD4 T cells
- CD8 T cells
- Epitopes
- NOD mice
- Type 1 diabetes
- β cells
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Immunology and Allergy
- Immunology
- Biochemistry
- Genetics