By examining early autoimmunity triggers, TEDDY study researchers reveal how genetics, infections, and diet uniquely shape type 1 diabetes risk, offering new directions for prevention in at-risk children. Looking back at the TEDDY study: lessons and future directions . Image Credit: Image Point Fr / Shutterstock In a recent review published in the journal Nature Reviews Endocrinology , a group of authors identified the factors contributing to the onset of islet autoimmunity (autoantibodies appearing against insulin and GAD65 early in life, signaling the body's immune response) and the progression to type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children.
Background The TEDDY study revealed that early exposure to certain adenoviruses may protect against islet autoimmunity in children, possibly by triggering antiviral immune responses that reduce diabetes risk. T1DM is a significant chronic illness that primarily affects children and young adults but can arise at any age, with about 50% of cases presenting in adults. Characterized by chronic hyperglycemia, T1DM results from the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing β cells, often initiated by the early appearance of insulin autoantibodies (IAA) or glutamic acid decarboxylase autoantibodies (GADA).
While T1DM is linked to certain Human Leukocyte Antigen (HLA) class II genotypes, genetic factors alone cannot fully account for its onset, as environmental influences such as diet, pathogens, and psychosocial factors play a crucial role..