A cytotoxic effect of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 22 out of 23 newly diagnosed Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic patients against B cells of isolated rat islets was demonstrated. The addition of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy subjects reduced the cytotoxic effect in 9 out of 10 patients. The addition of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from other diabetic patients was without significant effect in 14 out of 16 cases. The results indicate functional abnormalities of peripheral blood mononuclear cells in newly diagnosed Type 1 diabetes. Beside cytotoxic effects against B cells, a defect in the suppressor function seems to exist. The activation of T-lymphocytes might be a consequence of such a defect.
In 20 patients with a newly diagnosed type I diabetes mellitus a cytotoxic effect of blood lymphocytes against beta cells of the pancreas of neonatal rats could be demonstrated. This effect remained nearly unchanged during the first 12 months of control. During the course up to 18 months, the cytotoxicity decreased significantly. After stimulation with glucose and glucagon, a C-peptide secretion was demonstrated in all patients during the first 12 months but it decreased thereafter. The follow-up study showed cell-mediated immune reactions against beta cells in type I diabetics as long as the existence of beta cells can be assumed on the basis of functional tests. Thus the immune process seems to depend on the presence of the specific antigen.
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