GAD-alum treatment in patients with type 1 diabetes and the subsequent effect on GADA IgG subclass distribution, GAD65 enzyme activity and humoral response

We have previously shown that two injections of 20 μg GAD-alum to recent onset type 1 diabetic children induced GADA levels in parallel to preservation of insulin secretion. Here we investigated if boosted GADA induced changes in IgG1, 2, 3 and 4 subclass distributions or affected GAD65 enzyme activity. We further studied the specific effect of GAD-alum through analyses of IA-2A, tetanus toxoid and total IgE antibodies. Serum from children receiving GAD-alum or placebo was collected pre-treatment and after 3, 9, 15 and 21 months. At 3 months a reduced percentage of IgG1 and increased IgG3/IgG4 were detected in GAD-alum treated. Further, IA-2A, IgE and tetanus toxoid antibodies, as well as GAD65 enzyme activity, were unaffected confirming the specific effect of treatment. In the GAD-alum group, higher pre-treatment GADA were associated to more pronounced C-peptide preservation. The induced IgG3/IgG4 and reduced IgG1 suggest a Th2 deviation of the immune response.