Harrison LC, Bandala‐Sanchez E, Oakey H, Colman PG, Watson K, Kim KW, Wu R, Hamilton‐Williams EE, Stone NL, Haynes A, Thomson RL, Vuillermin PJ, Soldatos G, Rawlinson WD, McGorm KJ, Morahan G, Barry SC, Sinnott RO, Wentworth JM, Couper JJ, Penno MAS. A surge in serum mucosal cytokines associated with seroconversion in children at risk for type 1 diabetes.
J Diabetes Investig 2023;
14:1092-1100. [PMID:
37312283 PMCID:
PMC10445231 DOI:
10.1111/jdi.14031]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/15/2023] Open
Abstract
AIMS/INTRODUCTION
Autoantibodies to pancreatic islet antigens identify young children at high risk of type 1 diabetes. On a background of genetic susceptibility, islet autoimmunity is thought to be driven by environmental factors, of which enteric viruses are prime candidates. We sought evidence for enteric pathology in children genetically at-risk for type 1 diabetes followed from birth who had developed islet autoantibodies ("seroconverted"), by measuring mucosa-associated cytokines in their sera.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sera were collected 3 monthly from birth from children with a first-degree type 1 diabetes relative, in the Environmental Determinants of Islet Autoimmunity (ENDIA) study. Children who seroconverted were matched for sex, age, and sample availability with seronegative children. Luminex xMap technology was used to measure serum cytokines.
RESULTS
Of eight children who seroconverted, for whom serum samples were available at least 6 months before and after seroconversion, the serum concentrations of mucosa-associated cytokines IL-21, IL-22, IL-25, and IL-10, the Th17-related cytokines IL-17F and IL-23, as well as IL-33, IFN-γ, and IL-4, peaked from a low baseline in seven around the time of seroconversion and in one preceding seroconversion. These changes were not detected in eight sex- and age-matched seronegative controls, or in a separate cohort of 11 unmatched seronegative children.
CONCLUSIONS
In a cohort of children at risk for type 1 diabetes followed from birth, a transient, systemic increase in mucosa-associated cytokines around the time of seroconversion lends support to the view that mucosal infection, e.g., by an enteric virus, may drive the development of islet autoimmunity.
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