Type 1 diabetes and prediabetic state in a monozygotic triplet

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (IDDM) results from a chronic process of autoimmune destruction of beta cells of the Langerhans islets. The presence of autoantibodies (ICA, GADA, anti-IA2, IAA) in serum precedes the clinical onset of the disease. Genetic predisposition for IDDM is connected with HLA, CTLA-4 and insulin gene region. The aim of the study was the genetic and immunological analysis of a triplet. One of them developed Type 1 diabetes mellitus. We analysed HLA class II, CTLA-4 and insulin gene polymorphisms in the whole family. Besides, we investigated immunological status of three brothers. All patients present identical genotype for VNTR loci: D1S80, D17S5 and Apo B, as well as for HLA-DRB1, -DQA1, -DQB1, CTLA-4 gene and all studied insulin gene polymorphisms. That proves their monozigosity. The triplet presents strong genetic predisposition for IDDM. The two patients without overt diabetes have increased levels of ICA, GADA, IA2 and IAA.