Figure 1: Inflammatory Mediators in Type 1 Diabetes.

Activation of several immune cells are involved in pancreatic beta-cell death through a variety of inflammatory cytokines. Regulatory T cells are defective in this autoimmune disease, while effector T-cells (Teff) participate in the development of type 1 diabetes targeting several beta-cell autoantigens and related peptide epitopes. The profile of immune B cells also changes during disease progression and macrophages are also critical mediators of islet inflammation due to their direct toxicity on beta-cells by reactive oxygen species. Dendritic cells, natural killer cells and natural killer T cells may have a partial role in the process.