Identification of the beta cell antigen targeted by a prevalent population of pathogenic CD8+ T cells in autoimmune diabetes.
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2003
First Page
8384
Last Page
8388
JAX Source
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003 Jul; 100(14):8384-8.
Abstract
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which autoreactive T cells attack and destroy the insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. CD8+ T cells are essential for this beta cell destruction, yet their specific antigenic targets are largely unknown. Here, we reveal that the autoantigen targeted by a prevalent population of pathogenic CD8+ T cells in nonobese diabetic mice is islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP). Through tetramer technology, IGRP-reactive T cells are readily detected in islets and peripheral blood directly ex vivo. The human IGRP gene maps to a diabetes susceptibility locus, suggesting that IGRP also may be an antigen for pathogenic T cells in human type 1 diabetes and, thus, a new, potential target for diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
Recommended Citation
Lieberman SM,
Evans AM,
Han B,
Takaki T,
Vinnitskaya Y,
Caldwell JA,
Serreze DV,
Shabanowitz J,
Hunt DF,
Nathenson SG,
Santamaria P,
DiLorenzo TP.
Identification of the beta cell antigen targeted by a prevalent population of pathogenic CD8+ T cells in autoimmune diabetes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2003 Jul; 100(14):8384-8.