Markers of apoptosis in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus at the onset of the disease

Abstract

Aim. This work was to study activation markers of apoptosis (CD95, CD95L) on peripheral blood lymphocytes of patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) at the onset of the disease. Materials and methods. A total of 33 patients (25 men and 8 women) divided into 2 groups were available for biochemical, genetic, and immunological examination. Results. Those with the ?classical? onset of DM1 had significantly fewer CD95-expressing lymphocytes and more CD95L+ lymphocytes than control subjects. Carriers of genes responsible for high risk of DM1 showed especially large number of lymphocytes expressing CD95L. Conclusion. It is conjectured that DM1 is characterized by the suppression of mechanism controlling apoptosis of activated lymphocytes that may promote prolongation of the immune response.