Immune Mechanisms in the Etiology of lnsulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

Different environmental factors such as virus infections or toxic agents may play a role in the etiology of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, but it is evident that hereditary factors also are important. These two basic components can be unified into one common etiological mechanism, the immunological. Several facts support this hypothesis, which is reviewed in this paper. The theory now seems strong enough to justify trials to interfere with the immune response at the onset of diabetes in an effort to change the gradual loss of beta cell function.