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Enteroviral Infections as a Trigger for Type 1 Diabetes

  • Other Forms of Diabetes and Its Complications (JJ Nolan and H Thabit, Section Editors)
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

To provide an overview of studies that have detected enteroviruses (EV) in samples from people with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the techniques they have used, and which challenges they have encountered.

Recent Findings

Recent studies have detected EVs in serum, blood, stools, nasal swabs, and pancreas of people with T1D before or around clinical onset of disease, indicating that an association between EV infections and T1D exists. However, definitive evidence for its role as disease triggers is lacking. Recent access to human samples is starting to provide the necessary tools to define their role in disease pathogenesis. Emerging evidence suggests that chronic infections take place in the pancreas of diabetic donors. However, the development of sensitive techniques able to detect low amounts of viral protein and RNA still constitute a major challenge for the field.

Summary

New evidence at the protein, RNA, and host immune response level suggests a role for EV infections in the development of autoimmunity. In the upcoming years, new technologies, collaborative efforts, and therapeutic interventions are likely to find a definitive answer for their role in disease pathogenesis.

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Abbreviations

T1D:

Type 1 diabetes

EV:

Enterovirus

EVs:

Enteroviruses

AAb+:

Autoantibody positive.

HLA-I:

Human leukocyte antigen class I

ICI:

Insulin containing islet

IDI:

Insulin deficient islet

nPOD:

Network for Pancreatic Organ Donors with Diabetes

ISH:

In situ hybridization

RT-PCR:

Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction

CVB:

Coxsackievirus

IFN:

Interferon

References

Papers of particular interest, published recently, have been highlighted as: • Of importance •• Of major importance

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Acknowledgements

T.R-C is supported by a research grant from Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen and a JDRF research grant awarded to the nPOD-V consortium (JDRF 25-2012-516).

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  1. Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Institute of Diabetes Research, Ingolstaedter Landstrasse 1, 85764, Munich-Neuherberg, Germany

    Teresa Rodriguez-Calvo

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This article is part of the Topical Collection on Other Forms of Diabetes and Its Complications

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Rodriguez-Calvo, T. Enteroviral Infections as a Trigger for Type 1 Diabetes. Curr Diab Rep 18, 106 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11892-018-1077-2

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