Innate and adaptive immune gene expression profiles as biomarkers in human type 1 diabetes
The mRNA levels of a set of immune‐related genes were analysed with peripheral blood samples from at‐risk, new‐onset and long‐term type 1 diabetes (T1D) patients, in comparison to those from healthy controls. The selected set includes T lymphocyte genes [CD3G and cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated antigen 4 (CTLA4)], B lymphocyte genes (CD19 and CD20) and myeloid cell‐related genes [CD11b, Toll‐like receptor (TLR)‐9, arginase (ARG1)]. Also included is a subset of the S100 family members that has been documented recently as regulatory elements of innate immunity. Samples from patients with long‐term T1D had a reduced level of mRNA for most of selected innate and adaptive immune genes. No such reduction was detected in samples collected from at‐risk or new‐onset T1D patients. Analyses of regulatory gene expression ratios revealed a dynamic disproportion of CTLA4 versus CD3G expression in samples from at‐risk, new‐onset and long‐term T1D patients. These changes could serve as immunological biomarkers for the status of the immune system during T1D progression and therapeutic interventions.