Authors: Kim, Hun S.; Lee, Myung-Shik

Source: Current Molecular Medicine, Volume 9, Number 1, February 2009 , pp. 30-44(15)

Publisher: Bentham Science Publishers

Abstract:

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease resulting from the specific destruction of insulin-producing pancreatic β-cells, culminating in a state of hypoinsulinemia and hyperglycemia. Pathogenesis of T1D comprises complex series of events from the initial sensitization of antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to β-cell antigens to almost total insulin deficiency due to islet destruction. Although it is established that the interaction of environmental factors with genetic traits plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of T1D, in most cases, the exact trigger of anti-islet autoimmunity and how genetic and environmental factors regulate its progression, ultimately leading to the development of T1D remain elusive. In this review, based on the recent advances in understanding the role of innate immunity in development of autoimmune diseases, we focus on the possibility that aberrant regulation of the innate immune system frequently observed in animal models and patients with T1D, induces T1D by triggering anti-islet autoimmunity in the context of the autoimmuneprone environment; this information might provide an insight into possibilities for therapeutic intervention modulating innate immunity to mitigate or prevent T1D.

Keywords: Innate immunity; β-cell death; macrophages; dendritic cells; NK cells; NK T cells; γδ T cells; TLRs

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.2174/156652409787314471

Publication date: 2009-02-01

More about this publication?

• Current Molecular Medicine is an interdisciplinary journal focused on providing the readership with current and comprehensive reviews on fundamental molecular mechanisms of disease pathogenesis, the development of molecular-diagnosis and/or novel approaches to rational treatment. The reviews should be of significant interest to basic researchers and clinical investigators in molecular medicine. Periodically the journal will invite guest editors to devote an issue on a basic research area that shows promise to advance our understanding of the molecular mechanism(s) of a disease or has potential for clinical applications.

Related content

• In this: publication
• By this: publisher
• In this Subject: Pathology
• By this author: Kim, Hun S. ;  Lee, Myung-Shik

Website © Publishing Technology. Article copyright remains with the publisher, society or author(s) as specified within the article.

• Terms and conditions
• Privacy policy
• Information for advertisers