Abstract: Described is the identification of ZnT8 as an autoantigen target in type I autoimmune diabetes (T1D), other autoimmune disease, and other diabetes-linked diseases and conditions. Also described are a variety of therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic tools and methods based on this discovery. The identification of genetic variation in ZnT8 as an important player in the initiation of the disease process and the progression of autoimmunity to clinical diabetes is disclosed.

Abstract: The detection of parietal cell autoimmune antibodies comprising an ATP4A D3.2 subdomain binding site can diagnose autoimmune body gastritis and/or pernicious anemia with extraordinary sensitivity and specificity that is far superior to existing commercial assays. Further, the assay has diagnostic applications for use in diagnosing type 1 diabetes, thyroiditis and Addison's disease. As pernicious anemia is typically a disease of the elderly, detection of parietal cell antibodies may precede clinical disease by many years if not decades, thereby allowing the initiation of therapeutic interventions such as vitamin B12 administration to prevent the development of pernicious anemia or immunologic interventions to prevent type 1 diabetes and its complications.

Abstract: Described is the identification of ZnT8 as an autoantigen target in type I autoimmune diabetes (T1D), other autoimmune disease, and other diabetes-linked diseases and conditions. Also described are a variety of therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic tools and methods based on this discovery. The identification of genetic variation in ZnT8 as an important player in the initiation of the disease process and the progression of autoimmunity to clinical diabetes is disclosed.