Analysis of genetic basis for islet-specific autoimmunity and the applecation to prevention and treatment of type 1 diabetes

1型糖尿病是一种针对胰岛中产生胰岛素的β细胞的组织特异性自身免疫性疾病。为了阐明β细胞特异性破坏的机制和1型糖尿病的治疗应用，我们通过对1型糖尿病候选基因与多种器官特异性自身免疫性疾病(1型糖尿病、Graves病、桥本甲状腺炎和斑秃)的相关性研究，确定了包括MafA基因在内的胰岛特异性自身免疫反应的遗传因素。然后，采用SPEED同源基因方法建立了MafA基因敲除NOD小鼠。与杂合子和野生型相比，MafA基因敲除NOD小鼠的1型糖尿病累积发病率显著低于杂合子和野生型，提示MafA基因在体内1型糖尿病的发生发展中起关键作用。

Type 1 diabetes is a tissue-specific autoimmune disease against insulin-producing beta cells in pancreatic islets. To clarify the mechanisms of beta cell-specific destruction and the application of treatment for type 1 diabetes, we identified genetic factors, including Mafa gene, for islet-specific autoimmune response by association studies of candidate genes for type 1 diabetes with multiple organ-specific autoimmune diseases (type 1 diabetes, Graves' disease, Hashimoto thyroiditis and alopecia areata). Then, we established the Mafa knockout NOD mouse by speed congenic protocol. The cumulative incidence of type 1 diabetes in Mafa knockout NOD mouse was significantly protected in homozygotes of knockout allele in comparison with heterozygotes and wild type, suggesting the critical role of Mafa gene on the development of type 1 diabetes in vivo.