Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 22, 2026

Accelerated Type 1 Diabetes Induction in Mice by Adoptive Transfer of Diabetogenic CD4+ T Cells
Published on: May 6, 2013
What is the key environmental trigger in type 1 diabetes--is it viruses, or wheat gluten, or both?
1Department of Human Nutrition, Foods and Exercise, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061-0430, United States. barbeau@vt.edu
Abstract:
Prevention and treatment of type 1 diabetes is hampered by the fact that the key environmental trigger(s) of the disease is still unknown. Much of the data on this subject points to two possibilities, viruses and wheat gluten. Viruses appear to be involved as an etiological agent in some cases of type 1 diabetes, particularly in fulminant type 1 diabetes. Further analysis of the data suggests that viruses are not the sole trigger of type 1 diabetes in humans, and that wheat gluten may play a role in initiating the disease. Viruses may be the key environmental trigger in some cases of type 1 diabetes, and wheat gluten in others. Conceivably, some cases of type 1 diabetes might be caused by viruses and wheat gluten acting together as disease triggers.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology
Type II Diabetes I: Introduction
Autoimmune Disorders
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune system...
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...

