Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 13, 2026

Electrochemiluminescence Assays for Human Islet Autoantibodies
09:15

Electrochemiluminescence Assays for Human Islet Autoantibodies

Published on: March 23, 2018

Autoantibodies against mitochondrial glycerophosphate dehydrogenase in patients with IDDM

M E Fabregat1, R Gasa, C Rodriguez

  • 1Endocrinology Unit, Hospital Clinic, Barcelona, Spain.

Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice
|March 4, 1998
PubMed

Insights

Autoantibodies against the mitochondrial enzyme FAD-linked glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (mGDH) are present in type-1 diabetes patients. This enzyme is crucial for insulin release and may be an autoimmune target in diabetes and thyroiditis.

Area of Science:

  • Immunology
  • Endocrinology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • The mitochondrial enzyme FAD-linked glycerophosphate dehydrogenase (mGDH) is vital for glucose recognition in pancreatic islet B-cells, stimulating insulin release.
  • Autoimmune diseases, including type 1 diabetes (T1D) and autoimmune thyroiditis, involve the immune system mistakenly attacking the body's own tissues.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the presence and significance of autoantibodies targeting mGDH in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and autoimmune thyroiditis.
  • To determine if mGDH can serve as an autoantigen in autoimmune conditions affecting glucose metabolism and insulin secretion.

Main Methods:

  • Detection of autoantibodies against a recombinant mGDH fragment in the serum of T1D patients and healthy controls using immunoassays.
  • Validation of antibody reactivity against native mGDH in rat testis extracts.
  • Screening of patients with autoimmune thyroiditis for mGDH autoantibodies.

Main Results:

  • Autoantibodies against mGDH were found in 4 out of 15 T1D patients at disease onset, but in none of the 15 control subjects.
  • Antibodies from T1D patients recognized both recombinant and native mGDH.
  • Antibodies against mGDH were also identified in 4 out of 12 patients with autoimmune thyroiditis.

Conclusions:

  • The mitochondrial enzyme mGDH, a key component of the pancreatic B-cell glucose-sensing mechanism, can be an antigenic determinant in T1D.
  • mGDH autoantibodies are present in a subset of T1D patients and individuals with autoimmune thyroiditis, suggesting a potential role in these autoimmune diseases.

More Related Videos

Detection of Anti-MDA5 Autoantibodies Using HeLa Cells and Immunocytochemistry with Light Microscopy10:55

Detection of Anti-MDA5 Autoantibodies Using HeLa Cells and Immunocytochemistry with Light Microscopy

Published on: October 31, 2025

Mitochondrial Preparation from Microglia for Glycan Analysis06:40

Mitochondrial Preparation from Microglia for Glycan Analysis

Published on: May 30, 2025

Related Concept Videos

Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Overview and Type I Subtype

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by high blood glucose levels due to inadequate insulin production, insulin resistance, or both. The condition affects millions worldwide and can significantly impact their health and quality of life.
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...
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational01:22

Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational

Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance, arises when the insulin receptors on cells lose responsiveness to insulin, diminishing the cell's capacity to take up glucose, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels. To receive a diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes, a series of blood glucose tests are necessary to assess whether the blood glucose falls within normal parameters. If the result is out of the normal range, a patient may be diagnosed as prediabetic or diabetic, depending on the...
Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications01:15

Diabetes: Symptoms, Diagnosis, and Complications

For most patients, experiencing several weeks of polyuria, polydipsia, fatigue, and significant weight loss may indicate the presence of diabetes. Furthermore, adults displaying the phenotypic appearance of type 2 diabetes (particularly those who are obese and not initially insulin-requiring), may have islet cell autoantibodies, suggesting autoimmune-mediated β cell destruction and a diagnosis of latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). The categorization of glucose homeostasis is based on...
Type I Diabetes I: Introduction01:12

Type I Diabetes I: Introduction

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by an absolute deficiency of insulin resulting from the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells. Although it can occur at any age, it is most commonly diagnosed in childhood, adolescence, or early adulthood. The loss of insulin production impairs cellular glucose uptake, resulting in persistent hyperglycemia and necessitating lifelong insulin therapy.Autoimmune Destruction of β-CellsThe hallmark of type 1 diabetes is an...
Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology01:26

Type I Diabetes II: Pathophysiology

Type 1 diabetes mellitus arises from an immune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β-cells, resulting in an absolute deficiency of insulin. This process develops in genetically susceptible individuals when autoimmunity, environmental exposures, and immunologic dysregulation converge to trigger a targeted attack on the insulin-producing cells of the pancreas. The β-cells are located within the islets of Langerhans and are essential for regulating blood glucose by facilitating cellular uptake of...
Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis01:25

Type II Diabetes Mellitus III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnosis

Type 2 diabetes mellitus develops gradually and is often asymptomatic in early stages.Clinical ManifestationsWhen symptoms appear, they include fatigue, blurred vision, pruritus, delayed wound healing, and recurrent infections, particularly candidal infections. Peripheral neuropathy may present as numbness or tingling in the extremities. Classic hyperglycemia symptoms—polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia—are less common. Most patients are overweight and frequently have associated hypertension...