Insulin-binding activity of immunocompetent cells in children with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Insulin-binding activity (IBA) of the peripheral blood mononuclears and T-lymphocytes was studied in children with type I diabetes mellitus of different duration and with a different degree of compensation. An increase of the m,ononuclear IBA was observed during the compensation phase in patients with initial diabetes and a reduction of receptor binding of insulin by mononuclears in those with a lingering disease. Changes in the IBA of T- lymphocytes and mononuclears were similar in initial diabetes and opposite in a lingering disease: an increase of mononuclear IBA and an appreciable decrease of T-cell IBA during decompensation and a decrease of mononuclear IBA andf a drop of hormone binding by T-cells during compensation. In initial diabetes the IBA of mononuclears was the lowest in children with ketoacidotic coma and ketoacidosis and in a protracted course of the disease without ketosis they were the lowest in patients in need of intensive insulin therapy with increased doses of the hormone. These data on the status of lymphocyte receptors in diabetics with type 1 disease will be useful for aessesing the disease severity and for developing differentiated approaches to adequate insulin therapy.