islet cell antibodies

islet autoantibodies

, islet cell antibodies,

ICA

Antibodies formed against insulin, glutamic acid decarboxylase, or protein tyrosine phosphatase-like molecules. They are serum markers for type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). Children whose parents have type 1 DM and who have these markers present in their serum have a high risk of developing type 1 DM.

islet cell antibodies

Autoantibodies to the cytoplasm of the insulin-producing beta cells of the islets of Langerhans in the pancreas. Autoimmune damage to the beta cells is the main cause of DIABETES, and the presence of these antibodies and of antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (which are markers of autoimmune beta cell damage) can be a predictor of diabetes.