Model of pathogenic function of B cells in type 1 diabetes. Islet cell antigen released from the pancreatic beta cells is being taken up at low antigen concentrations by antigen-specific B cells, which present the antigen determinants to CD4+ T cells. T cells provide help to the B cells to eventually differentiate into antibody secreting plasma cells. Autoantibodies can now bind to the autoantigen and the resulting autoantibody/autoantigen complexes are efficiently taken up via FcR present on other APCs. This enhanced autoantigen uptake and presentation finally activates cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, which carry out the killing of the beta cells.
