Children’s erythrocyte fatty acids are associated with the risk of islet autoimmunity
Authors: Niinistö Sari , Erlund Iris , Lee Hye-Seung , Uusitalo Ulla , Salminen Irma , Aronsson Carin Andrén , Parikh Hemang M. , Liu Xiang , Hummel Sandra , Toppari Jorma , She Jin-Xiong , Lernmark Åke , Ziegler Annette G. , Rewers Marian , Akolkar Beena , Krischer Jeffrey P. , Galas David , Das Siba , Sakhanenko Nikita , Rich Stephen S. , Hagopian William , Norris Jill M. , Virtanen Suvi M. ,   the TEDDY Study Group,   Colorado Clinical Center, Barbour Aaron , Bautista Kimberly , Baxter Judith , Felipe-Morales Daniel , Driscoll Kimberly , Frohnert Brigitte I. , Stahl Marisa , Gesualdo Patricia , Hoffman Michelle , Karban Rachel , Liu Edwin , Peacock Stesha , Shorrosh Hanan , Steck Andrea , Stern Megan , Villegas Erica , Waugh Kathleen ,   Finland Clinical Center, Simell Olli G. , Adamsson Annika , Ahonen Suvi , Åkerlund Mari , Hakola Leena , Hekkala Anne , Holappa Henna , Hyöty Heikki , Ikonen Anni , Ilonen Jorma , Jäminki Sinikka , Jokipuu Sanna , Karlsson Leena , Kero Jukka , Kähönen Miia , Knip Mikael , Koivikko Minna-Liisa , Koskinen Merja , Koreasalo Mirva , Kurppa Kalle , Kytölä Jarita , Latva-Aho Tiina , Lindfors Katri , Lönnrot Maria , Mäntymäki Elina , Mattila Markus , Miettinen Maija , Multasuo Katja , Mykkänen Teija , Niininen Tiina , Nyblom Mia , Oikarinen Sami , Ollikainen Paula , Othmani Zhian , Pohjola Sirpa , Rajala Petra , Rautanen Jenna , Riikonen Anne , Riski Eija , Pekkola Miia , Romo Minna , Ruohonen Satu , Simell Satu , Sjöberg Maija , Stenius Aino , Tossavainen Päivi , Vähä-Mäkilä Mari , Vainionpää Sini , Varjonen Eeva , Veijola Riitta , Viinikangas Irene ,   Georgia/Florida Clinical Center, Schatz Desmond , Hopkins Diane , Steed Leigh , Bryant Jennifer , Silvis Katherine , Haller Michael , Gardiner Melissa , McIndoe Richard , Sharma Ashok , Anderson Stephen W. , Jacobsen Laura , Marks John ,   Germany Clinical Center, Bonifacio Ezio , Gezginci Cigdem , Heublein Anja , Hohoff Eva , Knopff Annette , Koch Charlotte , Koletzko Sibylle , Ramminger Claudia , Roth Roswith , Schmidt Jennifer , Scholz Marlon , Stock Joanna , Warncke Katharina , Wendel Lorena , Winkler Christiane ,   Sweden Clinical Center, Agardh Daniel , Ask Maria , Bennet Rasmus , Cilio Corrado , Dahlberg Susanne , Engqvist Helene , Ericson-Hallström Emelie , Fors Annika Björne , Fransson Lina , Gard Thomas , Hansen Monika , Jisser Hanna , Johansen Fredrik , Jonsdottir Berglind , Larsson Helena Elding , Lindström Marielle , Lundgren Markus , Maziarz Marlena , Månsson-Martinez Maria , Melin Jessica , Mestan Zeliha , Nilsson Caroline , Ottosson Karin , Rahmati Kobra , Ramelius Anita , Salami Falastin , Sjöberg Anette , Sjöberg Birgitta , Törn Carina , Wimar Åsa ,   Washington Clinical Center, Killian Michael , Crouch Claire Cowen , Skidmore Jennifer , Chavoshi Masumeh , Meyer Arlene , Meyer Jocelyn , Mulenga Denise , Powell Nole , Radtke Jared , Romancik Matei , Roy Shreya , Schmitt Davey , Zink Sarah ,   Pennsylvania Satellite Center, Becker Dorothy , Franciscus Margaret , Smith MaryEllen Dalmagro-Elias , Daftary Ashi , Klein Mary Beth , Yates Chrystal ,   Data Coordinating Center, Austin-Gonzalez Sarah , Avendano Maryouri , Baethke Sandra , Burkhardt Brant , Butterworth Martha , Clasen Joanna , Cuthbertson David , Eberhard Christopher , Fiske Steven , Garmeson Jennifer , Gowda Veena , Heyman Kathleen , Hsiao Belinda , Karges Christina , Laras Francisco Perez , Li Qian , Liu Shu , Lynch Kristian , Maguire Colleen , Malloy Jamie , McCarthy Cristina , Remedios Cassandra , Shaffer Chris , Smith Laura , Smith Susan , Sulman Noah , Tamura Roy , Tewey Dena , Toth Michael , Vehik Kendra , Vijayakandipan Ponni , Yang Jimin ,   Past staff, Abbondondolo Michael , Ballard Lori , Brown Rasheedah , Dankyi Stephen , Hadley David , McLeod Wendy , Merrell Aubrie , Meulemans Steven , Quigley Ryan ,   Autoantibody Reference Laboratories, Yu Liping , Miao Dongmei , Bingley Polly , Williams Alistair , Chandler Kyla , Kelland Ilana , Khoud Yassin Ben , Zahid Huma , Randell Matthew ,   Dietary Biomarkers Laboratory, Sundvall Jouko , Kangas Nina , Arohonka Petra ,   HLA Reference Laboratory, Chavoshi Masumeh , Radtke Jared , Zink Sarah , Erlich Previously Henry , Mack Steven J. , Fear Anna Lisa ,   SNP Laboratory, Chen Wei-Min , Onengut-Gumuscu Suna , Farber Emily , Pickin Rebecca Roche , Davis Jonathan , Davis Jordan , Gallo Dan , Bonnie Jessica , Campolieto Paul ,   Repository, Ke Sandra , Mulholland Niveen ,   Other contributors, Bourcier Kasia , Briese Thomas , Johnson Suzanne Bennett , Triplett Eric 
Published: February 2021

Our aim was to investigate the associations between erythrocyte fatty acids and the risk of islet autoimmunity in children. The Environmental Determinants of Diabetes in the Young Study (TEDDY) is a longitudinal cohort study of children at high genetic risk for type 1 diabetes (n = 8676) born between 2004 and 2010 in the U.S., Finland, Sweden, and Germany. A nested case–control design comprised 398 cases with islet autoimmunity and 1178 sero-negative controls matched for clinical site, family history, and gender. Fatty acids composition was measured in erythrocytes collected at the age of 3, 6, and 12 months and then annually up to 6 years of age. Conditional logistic regression models were adjusted for HLA risk genotype, ancestry, and weight z-score. Higher eicosapentaenoic and docosapentaenoic acid (n − 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) levels during infancy and conjugated linoleic acid after infancy were associated with a lower risk of islet autoimmunity. Furthermore, higher levels of some even-chain saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) were associated with increased risk. Fatty acid status in early life may signal the risk for islet autoimmunity, especially n − 3 fatty acids may be protective, while increased levels of some SFAs and MUFAs may precede islet autoimmunity.