SPECIFIC IMMUNOREGULATION ABNORMALITY IN INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETES-MELLITUS

  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 99  (2) , 175-186
Abstract
Antigen-nonspecific (Con A [concanavalin A]) and antigen-specific (islet cell) activation of suppressor cell function evaluated in 11 IDD [insulin-dependent diabetes] patients. Compared with healthy controls, IDD was associated with both antigen-specific (n = 11, P < 0.01) and nonspecific (n = 6, P < 0.03) suppressor cell hypofunction. The specific defect was not present in NIDD [non-IDD] patients and correlated negatively with the duration of the disease (r = -0.6, P < 0.05). No relationship was found between the degree of specific suppressor cell dysfunction and diabetic control as assessed by glycosylated hemoglobin, plasma glucose values, insulin-binding capacity or C-peptide determinations. Plasma from IDD lacked anti-suppressor cell activity. Low levels of circulating immune complexes were detected in IDD patients whose disease duration was 1 mo. or less. Specific suppressor cell hypofunction and/or enhanced helper cell activity in early stages of IDD could be contributing to the formation of islet cell autoantibodies, immune complexes, islet cell injury and the diabetic state.