Combined genome and proteome approach to identify new susceptibility genes

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a multifactorial disorder characterized by a specific destruction of the insulin-producing beta cells in the islets of Langerhans. Cells from the immune system infiltrate the islet during the pathogenesis, releasing a mixture of cytokines demonstrated to be specifically toxic to the beta cells within the islets. The goal is to understand the molecular mechanisms responsible for this specific beta-cell toxicity, which will allow the design of novel intervention strategies for T1DM. The proteome approach provides a detailed picture of the beta-cell proteins changing expression pattern during cytokine-mediated beta-cell destruction. Combining the information from this proteome approach with genetic studies makes us believe that it is possible to reach this goal.