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Exp Clin Endocrinol Diabetes 2005; 113(6): 313-317
DOI: 10.1055/s-2005-865643
Article

J. A. Barth Verlag in Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

IFN-γ Low Production Capacity in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Patients at Onset of Disease

M. A. Avanzini1 , L. Ciardelli1 , E. Lenta2 , A. M. Castellazzi2 , M. Marconi2 , G. Derosa3 , C. Dos Santos1 , M. Oliveri2 , A. Pistorio4 , R. Lorini5 , G. d'Annunzio5
  • 1Research Laboratories for Pediatric Oncohematology and Immunology, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo, Pavia, Italy
  • 2Department of Pediatrics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
  • 3Department of Internal Medicine and Therapeutics, University of Pavia, Pavia, Italy
  • 4Epidemiology and Biostatistics Service, IRCCS G. Gaslini, Genova, Italy
  • 5Pediatric Clinic, G. Gaslini Institute, Genova, Italy
Further Information

Publication History

Received: December 17, 2004 First decision: February 2, 2005

Accepted: March 17, 2005

Publication Date:
23 June 2005 (online)

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Abstract

In type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), cytokines can be directly cytotoxic to β-cells, and/or play an indirect role influencing some cells of the immune system. Since several factors could impair cytokine serum levels, the purpose of our study was to longitudinally evaluate intracellular cytokines, in T1DM patients, and in subject at risk, by flow cytometry analysis. At T1DM onset we observed significantly lower percentage of peripheral CD4 + and CD8 + cells producing IFN-γ in patients compared to controls and subjects at risk. The 15-month follow-up patients showed significantly lower percentage of CD4 + and CD8 + cells producing IFN-γ compared to the other groups. At 8-year follow-up no significant differences were observed among the groups in the percentage of cells producing cytokines. We could have considered “exhausted cells” or these T cell subsets may be migrated from peripheral blood to pancreas. On the other hand, our results are in agreement with those reported in literature: in animal model the absence of IFN-γ production makes β-cells highly susceptible to viral infection and subsequent attack by natural killer cells, which lead to hyperglycaemia and diabetes mellitus.

Key words

T1DM - cytokines - IFN-γ - CD4 + - CD8 +

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Maria A. Avanzini

Laboratorio Clinica Pediatrica
Policlinico S. Matteo

P.le Golgi 2

27100 Pavia

Italy

Phone: + 390382502909

Fax: + 39 03 82 52 79 76

Email: ma.avanzini@smatteo.pv.it

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