Innate Immunity in Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from the destruction of pancreatic β cells by the immune system, to which both pancreatic β-cell dysfunction and pathological activation of the immune system contribute. This paper is focused on understanding the modalities of this activation, and the genetic and environmental factors increasing its risk. Innate immunity has a critical role in the loss of self-tolerance and promotion of inflammation either directly using innate effector mechanisms or by providing activation signals to anti-islet adaptive autoimmunity. We provide an overview of various deleterious and protective roles of innate immunity in T1D inside pancreatic islets, regional lymph nodes, and distant locations such as the gut.