Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 25, 2026

Accelerated Type 1 Diabetes Induction in Mice by Adoptive Transfer of Diabetogenic CD4+ T Cells
Published on: May 6, 2013
Peripheral antigen-expressing cells in type 1 diabetes
Kamalaveni R Prabakar1, Alberto Pugliese
1Immunogenetics Program, Diabetes Research Institute, University of Miami School of Medicine, 1450 NW 10th Avenue, Miami, FL 33136, USA.
Abstract:
Studies in both humans and rodent models provide new insight into key mechanisms regulating tolerance to self-molecules. There is evidence that tissue-specific molecules are expressed in the thymus and peripheral lymphoid tissues (PLTs) by specialized antigen-presenting cells (APCs), and that such expression is critical for self-tolerance. Insulin, a key hormone exclusively produced by pancreatic beta cells and a critical autoantigen in type 1 diabetes, provides an excellent example of a molecule with tissue-restricted expression that is ectopically expressed by APCs in both thymus and PLTs. APCs may play a role in insulin presentation in both the central and peripheral immune system. Functional data from several transgenic and knockout mouse models, some specific for the expression of insulin, help dissect the significance of self-molecule presentation by APCs and its role in autoimmune diabetes.
Related Concept Videos
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction
Antigen Presenting Cells
T cells require the help of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), which process foreign antigens into smaller fragments that can be recognized by T cells. These APCs are highly specialized cells that efficiently internalize antigens...
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. As a result, the body is unable to produce sufficient insulin, and individuals with...

