Insulin as a Primary Autoantigen for Type 1A Diabetes

Type 1A diabetes mellitus is caused by specific and progressive autoimmune destruction of the beta cells in the islets of Langerhans whereas the other cell types in the islet (alpha, delta, and PP) are spared. The autoantigens of Type 1A diabetes may be divided into subgroups based on their tissue distributions: Beta-cell-specific antigens like insulin, insulin derivatives, and IGRP (Islet-specific Glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit Related Peptide); neurendocrine antigens such as carboxypeptidase H, insulinoma-associated antigen (IA-2), glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD65), and carboxypeptidase E; and those expressed ubiquitously like heat shock protein 60 (a putative autoantigen for type 1 diabetes). This review will focus specifically on insulin as a primary autoantigen, an essentia l target for disease, in type 1A diabetes mellitus. In particular, immunization with insulin peptide B:9-23 can be used to induce insulin autoantibodies and diabetes in animal models or used to prevent diabetes. Genetic manipulation of the insulin 1 and 2 genes reciprocally alters development of diabetes in the NOD mouse, and insulin gene polymorphisms are important determinants of childhood diabetes. We are pursuing the hypothesis that insulin is a primary autoantigen for type 1 diabetes, and thus the pathogenesis of the disease relates to specific recognition of one or more peptides

Retrospective Assessment of Islet Cell Autoantibodies in Pancreas Organ Donors

OBJECTIVE—Of deceased pancreas donors, 3–4% may have autoantibodies (AAb) to pancreatic islet cell antigens; these autoantibodies are well-established markers of type 1 diabetes. We investigated whether donor AAb positivity could affect the outcome of pancreas transplantation

Two Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms Identify the Highest-Risk Diabetes HLA Genotype: Potential for Rapid Screening

OBJECTIVE—People with the HLA genotype DRB1*0301-DQA1*0501-DQB1*0201/DRB1*04-DQA1*0301-DQB1*0302 (DR3/4-DQ8) are at the highest risk of developing type 1 diabetes. We sought to find an inexpensive, rapid test to identify DR3/4-DQ8 subjects using two single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs)

Emotional intelligence buffers the effect of physiological arousal on dishonesty

We studied the emotional processes that allow people to balance two competing desires: benefitting from dishonesty and keeping a positive self-image. We recorded physiological arousal (skin conductance and heart rate) during a computer card game in which participants could cheat and fail to report a certain card when presented on the screen to avoid losing their money. We found that higher skin conductance corresponded to lower cheating rates. Importantly, emotional intelligence regulated this effect; participants with high emotional intelligence were less affected by their physiological reactions than those with low emotional intelligence. As a result, they were more likely to profit from dishonesty. However, no interaction emerged between heart rate and emotional intelligence. We suggest that the ability to manage and control emotions can allow people to overcome the tension between doing right or wrong and license them to bend the rules

Antibodies to a 64,000 Mr human islet cell antigen precede the clinical onset of insulin-dependent diabetes

Antibodies in sera from newly diagnosed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) patients are directed to a human islet cell protein of relative molecular mass (Mr) 64,000. Since IDDM seems to develop after a prodromal period of beta-cell autoimmunity, this study has examined whether 64,000 Mr antibodies could be detected in 14 individuals who subsequently developed IDDM and five first degree relatives who have indications of altered beta-cell function. Sera were screened by immunoprecipitation on total detergent lysates of human islets and positive sera retested on membrane protein preparations. Antibodies to the 64,000 Mr membrane protein were consistently detected in 11/14 IDDM patients, and in all 5 first degree relatives. 10 IDDM patients were already positive in the first samples, obtained 4-91 mo before the clinical onset of IDDM, whereas 1 patient progressed to a high 64,000 Mr immunoreactivity, at a time where a commencement of a decline in beta-cell function was detected. 64,000 Mr antibodies were detected before islet cell cytoplasmic antibodies (ICCA) in two patients. In the control groups of 21 healthy individuals, 36 patients with diseases of the thyroid and 5 SLE patients, the 64,000 Mr antibodies were detected in only one individual, who was a healthy sibling to an IDDM patient. These results suggest that antibodies against the Mr 64,000 human islet protein are an early marker of beta-cell autoimmunity and may be useful to predict a later development of IDDM

Ambitious subsidy reform by the WTO presents opportunities for ocean health restoration

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Springer via the DOI in this recordThe World Trade Organization (WTO) is in a unique position to deliver on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14.6 by reforming global fisheries subsidies in 2020. Yet, a number of unanswered questions threaten to inhibit WTO delegates from crafting a smart agreement that improves global fisheries health. We combine global data on industrial fishing activity, subsidies, and stock assessments to show that: (1) subsidies prop up fishing effort all across the world’s ocean and (2) larger subsidies tend to occur in fisheries that are poorly managed. When combined, this evidence suggests that subsidy reform could have geographically-extensive consequences for many of the world’s largest fisheries. While much work remains to establish causality and make quantitative predictions, this evidence informs the rapidly-evolving policy debate and we conclude with actionable policy suggestions.Pew Charitable Trust