Hyperglycaemia alters thymic epithelial cell function

Abstract

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is considered to be a consequence of unchecked auto-immune processes. Alterations in immune system responses are thought to be the cause of the disease, but the possibility that altered metabolite levels (glucose) can establish the disease by specifically acting on and altering thymus stroma functions has not been investigated. Therefore, the direct effect of hyperglycaemia (HG) on central tolerance mechanisms as a causative agent needs to be investigated.