Role of MHC class I expression in the pathogenesis of Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is a polygenic autoimmune disease that occurs as a result of the selective destruction of insulin producing beta cells of the pancreas by infiltrating mononuclear cells. It is widely believed that insulin is the initiating autoantigen in T1D, but our studies have shown that antigens other than insulin expressed in pre-beta ductal cells of the pancreas play a significant role in the early development of disease.