Autoantibodies and HLA Susceptibility Markers in Canadian First-Degree Relatives of Patients with Type 1 Diabetes

We examined the frequencies of autoantibodies to glutamate decarboxylase, GAD65, protein tyrosine phosphatase, IA-2ICA512, and insulin, and of HLA class II markers in ICA-positive first-degree relatives of patients with type 1 diabetes. Our results indicate that while the presence of HLA susceptibility markers is associated with anti-islet autoantibodies, protective DQB1 markers do not absolutely prevent development of autoantibodies or progression to autoimmune diabetes.