Biochemical markers of type 1 diabetes: clinical use.

In type 1 diabetes, a number of specific and non-specific antigens have been identified. The major autoantigens involved in the destructive process of beta-cells leading to the development of type 1 diabetes are proinsulin/insulin, glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) and the transmembrane protein tyrosine phosphatase (IA-2). These are the only autoantigens that partially satisfy the criteria by which an autoantigen or cross-reactive nonself antigen could be evaluated for a pathogenic role in autoimmune diseases. Antigens by definition induce antibody production and in type 1 diabetes, such (auto) antibodies are accepted as biochemical markers for the disease. Here we describe the main features and usefulness of these markers for disease prediction.