Detection and Possible Functional Influence of Antibodies Directed Against the Pancreatic Islet Cell Surface

Abstract

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus seems to be associated with a specific destruction and loss of B-cells. The endocrine pancreas, which represents a complex parenchyma of endocrine cells, remains, however, and islets composed of cells reactive with antibodies against glucagon, somatostatin or pancreatic polypeptide are present (1). The disappearance of B-cells is concomitant with a deterioration in secretory capacity since at the time of diagnosis patients with insulin-dependent diabetes have very low or undetectable levels of serum C-peptide (2). The pathogenesis of the insulin-dependent diabetes is not known. However, recent attention has been paid to immunopathological phenomena. For example, the endocrine pancreas in newly diagnosed patients is frequently infiltrated by mononuclear cells, (1), and leucocyte migration inhibition tests against islet cell antigens suggest the presence of cell-mediated immunity (3). In support of a possible involvement of autoimmune mechanisms humoral organ-specific, non-species-specific antibodies against islet cells are common at the onset of the disease (4,5).