Detection and possible functional influence of antibodies directed againt the pancreatic islet cell surface

Antibodies directed towards determinants on the surface of rat islet cells can be detected qualitatively by the indirect immunofluorescence or quantitatively by a specific radioassay for IgG. Antibodies are found in insulin-dependent diabetics or in rabbits immunized with islet cells. Such antibodies may affect the B-cell function as indicated by the inhibition of incorporation of radioactive leucine into proinsulin/insulin in vitro.