Incomplete penetrance of susceptibility genes for MHC-determined immunoglobulin deficiencies in monozygotic twins discordant for type 1 diabetes.

Incomplete intrinsic penetrance is the failure of some genetically susceptible individuals (e.g., monozygotic twins of those who have a trait) to exhibit that trait.

Importin beta: a novel autoantigen in human autoimmunity identified by screening random peptide libraries on phage.

By screening random peptide libraries (RPLs) with sera of Type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients, we previously identified 5 disease-specific 'mimotopes' displayed on phages (phagotopes). We already characterised 1 phagotope (CH1p), as an epitope of human osteopontin, an autoantigen expressed within the somatostatin cells of human islets. In this paper, we report the characterization of the second phagotope, 195Dyn, by immunohistochemistry, Western Blotting and screening of a human islet cDNA library using rabbit anti-195Dyn antibodies.

Protection of non-obese diabetic mice from autoimmune diabetes by Escherichia coli heat-labile enterotoxin B subunit.

Autoimmune diabetes in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse is associated with development of inflammation around the islets at around 4-5 weeks of age, which may be prolonged until frank diabetes begins to occur around 12 weeks of age. Although many interventions can halt disease progression if administration coincides with the beginning of the anti-beta cell response, very few are able to prevent diabetes development once insulitis is established. Here we describe a strategy which blocks cellular infiltration of islets and prevents diabetes.