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- Title
Antibodies to covalent aggregates of insulin in blood of insulin-using diabetic patients.
- Authors
Robbins, David C.; Cooper, Sheldon M.; Fineberg, S. Edwin; Mead, Patricia M.; Robbins, D C; Cooper, S M; Fineberg, S E; Mead, P M
- Abstract
A covalent aggregate twice the size of insulin accounts for approximately 28% of total circulating insulin immunoreactivity in type I diabetic patients. These aggregates are probably covalent dimers of insulin and should contain unique epitopes distinct from the parent molecule. Therapeutic insulin contains a similar material and is the source of the circulating aggregate. Anti-aggregate antibodies were detected by binding-inhibition techniques in 9 of 29 long-term diabetic patients. These antibodies were directed against structures distinct from those of the parent molecule insulin monomer. All antibody-positive patients were men whose blood also contained antibodies to insulin monomer. We conclude that the blood of approximately 30% of insulin-using diabetic patients contains antibodies directed against epitopes unique to the insulin aggregates. Because insulin monomer and aggregates probably share a common primary amino acid sequence, the anti-aggregate antibodies are probably directed against conformational determinants. Further work is needed to determine whether such aggregates promote or accentuate the development of anti-insulin antibodies in certain genetically predisposed individuals.
- Publication
Diabetes, 1987, Vol 36, Issue 7, p838
- ISSN
0012-1797
- Publication type
journal article
- DOI
10.2337/diab.36.7.838