Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
3342697 Autoimmunity Reviews 2006 6 Pages PDF
Abstract

The initial immune process that triggers autoimmune β cell destruction in type 1 diabetes is not fully understood. In early infancy there is an increased β cell turnover. Recurrent exposure of tissue-specific antigens could lead to primary sensitization of immune cells in the draining lymph nodes of the pancreas. An initial immune injury to the β cells can be inflicted by several cell types, primarily macrophages and T cells. Subsequently, infiltrating macrophages transfer antigens exposed by apoptotic β cells to the draining lymph nodes, where antigen presenting cells process and amplify a secondary immune reaction. Antigen presenting cells evolve as dual players in the activation and suppression of the autoimmune reaction in the draining lymph nodes. We propose a scenario where destructive insulitis is caused by recurrent exposure of specific antigens due to the physiological turnover of β cells. This sensitization initiates the evolution of reactive clones that remain silent in the regional lymph nodes, where they succeed to evade regulatory clonal deletion.

Related Topics
Life Sciences Immunology and Microbiology Immunology
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