Insights into type 1 diabetes from the autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose of review

Advances in human genetics and investigations in animal models of autoimmune disease have allowed insight into the basic mechanisms of immunologic tolerance. These advances allow us to understand the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes and other autoimmune diseases as never before. Here, we discuss the tolerance mechanisms of the autoimmune polyendocrine syndromes and their relevance to type 1 diabetes.

Recent findings

Defects in central tolerance with alteration of self-antigen expression levels in the thymus are a potent cause of autoimmunity. Peripheral tolerance defects that alter T-cell activation and signaling also play an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and other associated autoimmune disorders, with multiple modest defects working in conc

SUBMITTER: Cheng MH 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4165040 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature