COXSACKIEVIRUSES AND DIABETES

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is an autoimmune disease wh ose etiology is complex. Both genetic susceptibility, which is polygen ic, and environmental factors, including virus infections, appear to b e involved in the development of IDDM. In this review, we have tried t o balance the discussion of diabetes by examining both immunological a nd virological perspectives. Several mouse models, including viral and non-viral models, have been used to study diabetes. For this review, we include lessons gleaned from the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse and from mouse models of coxsackievirus-and encephalomyocarditis-virus-in duced diabetes. Finally, we present a multi-stage model in which sever al viral infections, including the coxsackieviruses, are postulated to play a role in the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells.