ANTIGENI DI ISTOCOMPATIBILITA (HLA) ED IMMUNITA CELLULARE NEL DIABETE MELLITO

HLA-antigens have been Typed in 67 insulin-dependent diabetics (IDD) and in 730 normal subjects. IDD show a significant increase in HLA-B8, while no difference has been found for BW15, B7 and CW frequencies. Cellmediated immunity has been evaluated by E-rosette forming ability of peripheral lymphocytes. IDD present a reduced ERFA versus non insulin-dependent diabetics and normal subjects without relationship with HLA-B8. In vitro incubation with insulin of IDD lymphocytes improves ERFA, while glucagon depresses ERFA from normal lymphocytes. According to these data, the endocrine enbalancement of IDD might affect CMI apart from genetical control of immune response by HLA system.