Loss of IDO1 Expression From Human Pancreatic β-Cells Precedes Their Destruction During the Development of Type 1 Diabetes

Indoleamine 2,3 dioxygenase-1 (IDO1) is a powerful immunoregulatory enzyme that is deficient in patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D). In this study, we present the first systematic evaluation of IDO1 expression and localization in human pancreatic tissue. Although IDO1 was constitutively expressed in β-cells from donors without diabetes, less IDO1 was expressed in insulin-containing islets from double autoantibody-positive donors and patients with recent-onset T1D, although it was virtually absent in insulin-deficient islets from donors with T1D. Scatter plot analysis suggested that IDO1 decay occurred in individuals with multiple autoantibodies, prior to β-cell demise. IDO1 impairment might therefore contribute to β-cell demise and could potentially emerge as a promising therapeutic target.