Purpose of review 

Although type 1 diabetes (T1D) is characterized by destruction of the pancreatic beta cells by self-reactive T cells, it has become increasingly evident that B cells also play a major role in disease development, likely functioning as antigen-presenting cells. Here we review the biology of islet antigen-reactive B cells and their participation in autoimmune diabetes.

Recent findings 

Relative to late onset, individuals who develop T1D at an early age display increased accumulation of insulin-reactive B cells in islets. This B-cell signature is also associated with rapid progression of disease and responsiveness to B-cell depletion therapy. Also suggestive of B-cell participation in disease is loss of anergy in high-affinity insulin-reactive B cells. Importantly, loss of anergy is seen in patient's healthy first-degree relatives carrying certain T1D risk alleles, suggesting a role early in disease development.

Summary 

Recent studies indicate that islet-reactive B cells may play a pathogenic role very early in T1D development in young patients, and suggest utility of therapies that target these cells.

中文翻译：

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T1D 的内型：B 淋巴细胞和早期发病。

审查目的 

尽管1 型糖尿病(T1D) 的特征是自身反应性 T 细胞破坏胰腺 β 细胞，但越来越明显的是，B 细胞在疾病发展中也发挥着重要作用，可能起到抗原呈递细胞的作用。在这里，我们回顾了胰岛抗原反应性B 细胞的生物学及其在自身免疫性糖尿病中的参与。

最近的发现 

相对于晚发型，在早期发展为 T1D 的个体显示胰岛中胰岛素反应性B 细胞的积累增加。这种 B 细胞特征还与疾病的快速进展和对 B 细胞耗竭疗法的反应有关。B 细胞参与疾病的另一个提示是高亲和力胰岛素反应性B 细胞的无反应性丧失。重要的是，在携带某些 T1D 风险等位基因的患者健康一级亲属中观察到无反应性丧失，表明其在疾病发展的早期发挥作用。

概括 

最近的研究表明，胰岛反应性B 细胞可能在年轻患者的 T1D 发展的早期发挥致病作用，并表明针对这些细胞的疗法的效用。