Cold reacting antilymphocyte antibodies in type I (insulin dependent) diabetes

Non HLA antilymphocyte antibodies have been detected in numerous auto-immune illnesses and notably in type I (insulin dependent) diabetes. In order to ascertain their role in this illness, the actual frequency of this phenomenon has been estimated. The privileged cellular target has been determined. Finally correlations with the other immunogenetic markers of diabetes have been investigated. Non HLA antilymphocyte antibodies are frequent, above all at the beginning of the illness (32.4% before 6 months, 10% after 5 years). The cellular target is mainly composed of B lymphocytes. B lymphocyte enrichment of cellular suspensions leads to better method sensitivity (70.3% positive reactions at the beginning of the illness). No correlation was found with presence of anti islet cell antibodies or anti coxsackie B virus antibodies (IgM). Association with the HLA DR3 phenotype is relatively frequent but does not attain statistical significance.