Mechanisms underlying type 1 diabetes and islet transplantation

Type 1A diabetes results from chronic destruction by T lymphocytes of pancreatic islet beta cells. Disease develops in genetically susceptible individuals and detection of anti-islet autoantibodies allows its prediction. Although trials to ameliorate beta cell destruction can be initiated at multiple stages of the disorder and multiple therapies prevent the disorder in animal models, safe and effective prevention of immune-mediated beta cell destruction in human is not yet available. It is likely to be that improved therapies and monitoring of T cell autoimmunity will be needed to develop a safe and effective immunotherapy for type 1A diabetes.

Section editors:David Scott – University of Mariland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USATerry L. Delovitch – The John P. Robarts Research Institute, London, Canada