Specific proteins are also critical in the process. These proteins serve as autoantigens . That is, they trigger the self-attack of the immune system on its body's own beta cells. Progression from the first stage, known as insulitis , to full-blown diabetes can take seven years or longer. It should be noted that more than half of those with insulitis do not develop diabetes.
Researchers are greatly interested in discovering any factors that prevent the disease.
Genetic Abnormalities Researchers have found at least 18 genetic locations that are related to type 1 diabetes. They appear to involve abnormal interactions among normal genes, mostly those known as class I and II major histocompatibility genes, which affect the immune response. Children are more likely to inherit the disease from a father with type 1 diabetes than from a mother with the disorder. Genetic factors cannot fully explain the development of diabetes. If genetic factors were the only cause of type 1 diabetes, such an increase in cases would take at least 400 years.