Immunoreactive α-interferon in insulin-secreting β cells in type 1 diabetes mellitus
AK Foulis, MA Farquharson, A Meager - The Lancet, 1987 - Elsevier
AK Foulis, MA Farquharson, A Meager
The Lancet, 1987•ElsevierOf 37 pancreases removed at necropsy from patients with type 1 diabetes 34 had residual β
cells. In 33 of the 34 the β cells were positive for immunoreactive α-interferon, and this
finding in islets was related to hyperexpression of class I major histocompatibility complex
(MHC) antigens. Of islets showing class I hyperexpression 93% contained α-interferon
compared with 0· 4% of those showing no hyperexpression. Among 80 control pancreases
significant numbers of β cells containing α-interferon were present only in 4 cases of acute …
cells. In 33 of the 34 the β cells were positive for immunoreactive α-interferon, and this
finding in islets was related to hyperexpression of class I major histocompatibility complex
(MHC) antigens. Of islets showing class I hyperexpression 93% contained α-interferon
compared with 0· 4% of those showing no hyperexpression. Among 80 control pancreases
significant numbers of β cells containing α-interferon were present only in 4 cases of acute …
Abstract
Of 37 pancreases removed at necropsy from patients with type 1 diabetes 34 had residual β cells. In 33 of the 34 the β cells were positive for immunoreactive α-interferon, and this finding in islets was related to hyperexpression of class I major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens. Of islets showing class I hyperexpression 93% contained α-interferon compared with 0·4% of those showing no hyperexpression. Among 80 control pancreases significant numbers of β cells containing α-interferon were present only in 4 cases of acute infantile viral pancreatitis, known to be caused by Coxsackie-B viral infection in 3 cases. Chronic viral infection of β cells may underlie the pathogenesis of some cases of type 1 diabetes.
Elsevier