Humoral autoimmunity in insulin-dependent (type I) diabetes mellitus. A current assessment.

Autoimmunity plays a key role in the development of IDDM. Mediating an attack on the insulin-producing beta cell, autoimmune phenomena may be initiated by environmental factors or through loss of immunoregulatory control. A variety of antibodies directed against cytoplasmic and surface determinants of pancreatic islet cells have been associated with the onset of IDDM. Of these, ICSA are particularly of interest due to their preferential beta cytotoxic nature. Further elucidation of the immunologic events leading to IDDM represents the first step toward eventual therapeutic intervention in this disease.