Apoptosis of CD4+ CD25(high) T cells in type 1 diabetes may be partially mediated by IL-2 deprivation.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a T-cell mediated autoimmune disease targeting the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. Naturally occurring FOXP3(+)CD4(+)CD25(high) regulatory T cells (T(regs)) play an important role in dominant tolerance, suppressing autoreactive CD4(+) effector T cell activity. Previously, in both recent-onset T1D patients and beta cell antibody-positive at-risk individuals, we observed increased apoptosis and decreased function of polyclonal T(regs) in the periphery. Our objective here was to elucidate the genes and signaling pathways triggering apoptosis in T(regs) from T1D subjects.

Principal findings

Gene expression profiles of unstimulated T(regs) from recent-onset T1D (n = 12) and healthy control subjects (n = 15) were generated. Statistical

SUBMITTER: Jailwala P 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2716541 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature