Viral infections and diabetes

Adv Exp Med Biol. 2012:771:252-71. doi: 10.1007/978-1-4614-5441-0_20.

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is a multi-factorial autoimmune disease determined by the interaction of genetic, environmental and immunologic factors. One of the environmental risk factors identified by a series of independent studies is represented by viral infection, with strong evidence showing that viruses can indeed infect pancreatic beta cells with consequent effects ranging from functional damage to cell death. In this chapter we review the data obtained both in man and in experimental animal models in support of the potential participation of viral infections to Type 1 diabetes pathogenesis, with a particular emphasis on virus-triggered islet inflammation, beta-cell dysfunction and autoimmunity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / epidemiology*
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / genetics
  • Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / virology*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Risk Factors
  • Virus Diseases / epidemiology*
  • Virus Diseases / genetics