Heterophile antibodies masquerade as interferon-alpha in subjects with new-onset type 1 diabetes.

Abstract

One of the potential environmental triggers in type 1 diabetes may be viruses. The mechanism of viral infections leading to β-cell destruction of the pancreas is becoming clearer, and the potential role of viruses inducing the cytokine interferon-α (IFN-α) has been implicated. It is well established that IFN-α therapy induces islet cell autoimmunity and other endocrine autoantibodies as well (1). Recent studies have indicated that IFN-α levels in serum of new-onset type 1 diabetic subjects are elevated and perhaps related to recent enteroviral infections (2,3). These studies suggest that IFN-α may be a useful surrogate marker for disease onset, perhaps due to a recent viral infection or vaccination. At the Barbara Davis Center for Childhood Diabetes in Denver, Colorado, we screened 32 new-onset type 1 diabetic subjects and 31 …