Abstract

Background and aims: Patients with type 1 diabetes have antibodies to ZnT8 protein is encoded by SLC30A8. The C-allele of the R325 W variant in SLC30A8 is associated with type 2 diabetes and reduced beta-cell function in non-diabetic subjects. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of ZnT8 autoantibodies (ZnT8A) in patients with adult-onset diabetes, and to characterize associations between ZnT8A and phenotype, as well as SLC30A8 and HLA-DQB1 genotypes. Methods: ZnT8A were analyzed in patients diagnosed with diabetes >35 years (type 1 diabetes: n = 274; Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA): n = 294). SLC30A8 R325 W (rs13266634) and HLA-DQB1 alleles were genotyped in all patients and 537 non-diabetic control subjects. Results: ZnT8A were significantly more prevalent in LADA (34.3%) compared to adult-onset type 1 diabetes (18.7%, p < 0.0001). Among the patients with adult-onset type 1 diabetes, ZnT8A were associated with shorter disease duration [4.4 (6.0) vs. 10.8 (11.2) years, p < 0.0001], whereas no such association was observed among patients with LADA. The SLC30A8 R325 W variant was associated with LADA with low GADA levels [SLC30A8 CC: OR (95% CI): 1.46 (1.00 – 2.13), p = 0.049], and reduced insulin secretion among the non-diabetic subjects and the patients with LADA. Conclusion: ZnT8A were more common and more persistent in patients with LADA compared to adult-onset type 1 diabetes, but their presence was not associated with specific phenotypic characteristics. The SLC30A8 CC genotype adds to the genetic heterogeneity of LADA linked to GADA reactivity.

Full Text
Published version (Free)

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call