Circulating T Cell Subsets in Type 1 Diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a complex disease driven by the immune system attacking the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. Understanding the role of different T cell subpopulations in the development and progression of T1D is crucial. By employing flow cytometry to compare the characteristics of T cells, we can pinpoint potential indicators of treatment response or therapeutic inefficacy.

Hormones and B-cell development in health and autoimmunity.

The development of B cells into antibody-secreting plasma cells is central to the adaptive immune system as they induce protective and specific antibody responses against invading pathogens. Various studies have shown that, during this process, hormones can play important roles in the lymphopoiesis, activation, proliferation, and differentiation of B cells, and depending on the signal given by the receptor of each hormone, they can have a positive or negative effect. In autoimmune diseases, hormonal deregulation has been reported to be related to the survival, activation and/or differentiation of autoreactive clones of B cells, thus promoting the development of autoimmunity.

Prolactin Increases the Frequency of Follicular T Helper Cells with Enhanced IL21 Secretion and OX40 Expression in Lupus-Prone MRL/lpr Mice.

Systemic lupus erythematosus is characterized by high levels of IgG class autoantibodies that contribute to the pathophysiology of the disease. The formation of these autoantibodies occurs in the germinal centers, where there is cooperation between follicular T helper cells (T) and autoreactive B cells. Prolactin has been reported to exacerbate the clinical manifestations of lupus by increasing autoantibody concentrations.