Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 27, 2025

Accelerated Type 1 Diabetes Induction in Mice by Adoptive Transfer of Diabetogenic CD4+ T Cells
Published on: May 6, 2013
Type 1 diabetes and associated autoimmune diseases
Lara Frommer1, George J Kahaly2
1Department of Medicine I, Johannes Gutenberg Medical Center, Mainz 55131, Germany.
Background:
Common autoimmune diseases (AID) tend to occur together in the same individual and families. Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is caused by an autoimmune-induced inflammatory destruction of the pancreatic tissue and clusters with several other AID.
Aim:
To compare the demographic, clinical, and serological features of patients with single T1D vs those with T1D and associated AID.
Methods:
From October 1999 to February 2020, a total of 665 patients with T1D and their first-degree relatives were evaluated.
Results:
Compared to patients with isolated T1D, those with T1D + AID were older and had a higher female: male ratio. Average patient age and age at disease onset were higher in T1D + AID vs T1D only. The average time interval between T1D onset and the onset of a second glandular AID was markedly shorter than the time interval between T1D and the occurrence of a non-endocrine AID. T1D-specific autoantibodies were more frequent in patients with T1D + AID and relatives vs those with T1D only. However, the prevalence of AID and autoantibodies against various tissues were found to be higher in relatives of patients with T1D only compared to relatives of patients with T1D + AID.
Conclusion:
Annual serological and subsequent functional screening for AID in patients with T1D and their first-degree relatives is recommended.
Related Concept Videos
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...
Autoimmune Disorders
Concept and Mechanism of Autoimmune Diseases
The immune...
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,...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications
What is the Immune System?

