Exposure to environmental chemicals and type 1 diabetes: an update

2019 ◽  
Vol 73 (6) ◽  
pp. 483-488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah G Howard

This narrative review summarises recently published epidemiological and in vivo experimental studies on exposure to environmental chemicals and their potential role in the development of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). These studies focus on a variety of environmental chemical exposures, including to air pollution, arsenic, some persistent organic pollutants, pesticides, bisphenol A and phthalates. Of the 15 epidemiological studies identified, 14 include measurements of exposures during childhood, 2 include prenatal exposures and 1 includes adults over age 21. Together, they illustrate that the role of chemicals in T1DM may be complex and may depend on a variety of factors, such as exposure level, timing of exposure, nutritional status and chemical metabolism. While the evidence that these exposures may increase the risk of T1DM is still preliminary, it is critical to investigate this possibility further as a means of preventing T1DM.

Cells ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 959 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jefferson Antônio Leite ◽  
Gabriela Pessenda ◽  
Isabel C. Guerra-Gomes ◽  
Alynne Karen Mendonça de Santana ◽  
Camila André Pereira ◽  
...  

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Nod2, Nlrp3, Tlr2, Trl4, and Tlr9, are directly involved in type 1 diabetes (T1D) susceptibility. However, the role of the cytosolic DNA sensor, AIM2, in T1D pathogenesis is still unknown. Here, we demonstrate that C57BL/6 mice lacking AIM2 (AIM2−/−) are prone to streptozotocin (STZ)-induced T1D, compared to WT C57BL/6 mice. The AIM2−/− mice phenotype is associated with a greater proinflammatory response in pancreatic tissues, alterations in gut microbiota and bacterial translocation to pancreatic lymph nodes (PLNs). These alterations are related to an increased intestinal permeability mediated by tight-junction disruption. Notably, AIM2−/− mice treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics (ABX) are protected from STZ-induced T1D and display a lower pancreatic proinflammatory response. Mechanistically, the AIM2 inflammasome is activated in vivo, leading to an IL-18 release in the ileum at 15 days after an STZ injection. IL-18 favors RegIIIγ production, thus mitigating gut microbiota alterations and reinforcing the intestinal barrier function. Together, our findings show a regulatory role of AIM2, mediated by IL-18, in shaping gut microbiota and reducing bacterial translocation and proinflammatory response against insulin-producing β cells, which ultimately results in protection against T1D onset in an STZ-induced diabetes model.


2016 ◽  
Vol 64 (1) ◽  
pp. 2-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Feyza Engin

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) results from an autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells. The incidence of T1D is on the rise globally around 3% to 5% per year and rapidly increasing incidence in younger children is of the greatest concern. currently, there is no way to cure or prevent T1D; hence, a deeper understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms of this disease is essential to the development of new effective therapies. The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) is an organelle with multiple functions that are essential for cellular homeostasis. Excessive demand on the ER, chronic inflammation, and environmental factors lead to ER stress and to re-establish cellular homeostasis, the adaptive unfolded protein response (UPR) is triggered. However, chronic ER stress leads to a switch from a prosurvival to a proapoptotic UPR, resulting in cell death. Accumulating data have implicated ER stress and defective UPR in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and autoimmune diseases, and ER stress has been implicated in β-cell failure in type 2 diabetes. However, the role of ER stress and the UPR in β-cell pathophysiology and in the initiation and propagation of the autoimmune responses in T1D remains undefined. This review will highlight the current understanding and recent in vivo data on the role of ER stress and adaptive responses in T1D pathogenesis and the potential therapeutic aspect of enhancing β-cell ER function and restoring UPR defects as novel clinical strategies against this disease.


2008 ◽  
Vol 29 (4) ◽  
pp. 186
Author(s):  
Maria E Craig ◽  
Kin-Chuen Leung

Rubella and cytomegalovirus (CMV) are recognised causes of congenital diabetes. The role of in utero infection with other viruses, such as enteroviruses (EV), in the development of childhood diabetes is less clear. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association between maternal EV infection and subsequent development of type 1 diabetes in their offspring, suggesting that the disease process begins in utero.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ada Admin ◽  
Andrew P. Trembath ◽  
Kelsey L. Krausz ◽  
Neekun Sharma ◽  
Ivan C. Gerling ◽  
...  

NKG2D is implicated in autoimmune diabetes. However, the role of this receptor in diabetes pathogenesis is unclear owing to conflicting results with studies involving global inhibition of NKG2D signaling. We found that NKG2D and its ligands are present in human pancreata, with expression of NKG2D and its ligands increased in the islets of patients with type 1 diabetes. To directly assess the role of NKG2D in the pancreas, we generated NOD mice that express an NKG2D ligand in b-islet cells. Diabetes was reduced in these mice. The reduction corresponded with a decrease in the effector to central memory CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell ratio. Further, NKG2D signaling during in vitro activation of both mouse and human CD8+ T cells resulted in an increased number of central memory CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells and diabetes protection by central memory CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells in vivo. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that there is a protective role for central memory CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells in autoimmune diabetes and that this protection is enhanced with NKG2D signaling. These findings stress the importance of anatomical location when determining the role NKG2D signaling plays, as well as when developing therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway, in type 1 diabetes development.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ada Admin ◽  
Andrew P. Trembath ◽  
Kelsey L. Krausz ◽  
Neekun Sharma ◽  
Ivan C. Gerling ◽  
...  

NKG2D is implicated in autoimmune diabetes. However, the role of this receptor in diabetes pathogenesis is unclear owing to conflicting results with studies involving global inhibition of NKG2D signaling. We found that NKG2D and its ligands are present in human pancreata, with expression of NKG2D and its ligands increased in the islets of patients with type 1 diabetes. To directly assess the role of NKG2D in the pancreas, we generated NOD mice that express an NKG2D ligand in b-islet cells. Diabetes was reduced in these mice. The reduction corresponded with a decrease in the effector to central memory CD8<sup>+</sup> T cell ratio. Further, NKG2D signaling during in vitro activation of both mouse and human CD8+ T cells resulted in an increased number of central memory CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells and diabetes protection by central memory CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells in vivo. Taken together, these studies demonstrate that there is a protective role for central memory CD8<sup>+</sup> T cells in autoimmune diabetes and that this protection is enhanced with NKG2D signaling. These findings stress the importance of anatomical location when determining the role NKG2D signaling plays, as well as when developing therapeutic strategies targeting this pathway, in type 1 diabetes development.


2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (8) ◽  
pp. 2937 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Predieri ◽  
Patrizia Bruzzi ◽  
Elena Bigi ◽  
Silvia Ciancia ◽  
Simona F. Madeo ◽  
...  

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is the most common chronic metabolic disease in children and adolescents. The etiology of T1D is not fully understood but it seems multifactorial. The genetic background determines the predisposition to develop T1D, while the autoimmune process against β-cells seems to be also determined by environmental triggers, such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs). Environmental EDCs may act throughout different temporal windows as single chemical agent or as chemical mixtures. They could affect the development and the function of the immune system or of the β-cells function, promoting autoimmunity and increasing the susceptibility to autoimmune attack. Human studies evaluating the potential role of exposure to EDCs on the pathogenesis of T1D are few and demonstrated contradictory results. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize experimental and epidemiological studies on the potential role of exposure to EDCs in the development of T1D. We highlight what we know by animals about EDCs’ effects on mechanisms leading to T1D development and progression. Studies evaluating the EDC levels in patients with T1D were also reported. Moreover, we discussed why further studies are needed and how they should be designed to better understand the causal mechanisms and the next prevention interventions.


Author(s):  
Afreen Bhatty ◽  
Saeeda Baig ◽  
Zil-e-Rubab . ◽  
Moazzam Ali Shahid

Zinc, an important micronutrient for the storage, structural stabilization, secretion and action of insulin, is present in highest concentration in pancreas. The transport of zinc occurs through the zinc transporter-8 (ZnT8) to the insulin secretory vesicles. Zinc Transporter-8 Autoantibodies (ZnT8A) has been found to be associated with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Recently it is recognized as a new autoantigen in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) and its autoantibodies have been found in 50-60% of individuals with T1DM. Moreover, ZnT8A exhibit humoral auto reactivity which is not displayed by any of the other islet autoantigen like glutamine decarboxylase (GAD), insulin or tyrosine phosphate-related molecules (IA-2). Immunity against ZnT8 is dependent on clinical characteristics, which may provide evidence for early recognition highlighting the importance of this transporter in the pathogenesis of T1DM. Information regarding this article was retrieved through PubMed, Google Scholar and other search engines available in the University by using the keywords zinc, ZnT, ZnT8, SLC30A8 (Solute carrier 30 member 8) and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. Information was gathered through original researches, reviews and epidemiological studies published up to August 2019.The aim of this review is to summarize the emerging role of ZnT8A in diagnosis and understanding the genetic basis of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.


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