Cytokine Profile in Children During the First 3 Months after the Diagnosis of Type 1 Diabetes

• Published in: Scandinavian journal of immunology 2004-05, Vol.59 (5), p.517-526
• Main Authors: Karlsson Faresjö, M. G. E., Ernerudh, J., Ludvigsson, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Autoantibodies - blood; C-Peptide - blood; Child; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 - immunology; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; Female; Humans; Insulin - immunology; Interferon-gamma - biosynthesis; Interferon-gamma - immunology; Interleukin-4 - biosynthesis; Interleukin-4 - immunology; Islets of Langerhans - immunology; Male; MEDICIN; MEDICINE; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; RNA, Messenger - analysis; Th1 Cells - immunology; Th2 Cells - immunology; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0300-9475; 1365-3083; 1365-3083
• DOI: 10.1111/j.0300-9475.2004.01420.x

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease with an inflammatory process directed against the β cells in pancreas. This investigation aimed at studying the immune response during the first 3 months after the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes, with focus on the balance of T‐helper 1 (Th1)‐ and Th2‐like cytokines, produced spontaneously and in response to relevant autoantigens. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from type 1 diabetic children (10–17 years) at 5, 20, 35 and 90 days after diagnosis. Expression of interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ) and interleukin‐4 (IL‐4) mRNA were detected by real‐time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction and IFN‐γ, IL‐10 and IL‐13 by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in cell supernatant after stimulation with a glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65)‐peptide [amino acid (a.a.) 247–279], insulin, the ABBOS‐peptide (a.a. 152–169), phytohaemagglutinin and keyhole limpet haemocyanin. Spontaneous and antigen‐induced expression and secretion of cytokines were low at the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes. During the first month, after diagnosis, the GAD65‐peptide caused an increased ratio of IFN‐γ/IL‐4 mRNA expression (P