Lymphoid tyrosine phosphatase (LYP/PTPN22) Arg620Trp variant regulates insulin autoimmunity and progression to type 1 diabetes

Aims/hypothesis: We analysed the contribution of the lymphoid protein tyrosine phosphatase (LYP) Arg620Trp variant (which corresponds to the PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism) to the emergence of beta-cell-specific humoral autoimmunity and progression to type 1 diabetes in man. We also explored the heterogeneity in the disease-predisposing effect of this polymorphism in relation to known disease loci, sex and age at disease onset. Subjects and methods: A population-derived Finnish birth cohort with increased disease susceptibility conferred by HLA-DQB1 was monitored for the appearance of islet cell autoantibodies, and individuals found to be positive were tested for autoantibodies against insulin (IAA), glutamic acid decarboxylase and islet antigen-2 (n=574; mean follow-up time 4.9 years). Gene interaction effects on disease susceptibility were analysed in case-control and family series (546 patients, 538 controls, 245 nuclear families). All subjects were typed for HLA DR-DQ, insulin gene (INS), CTLA4 and PTPN22 C1858T polymorphisms. Results: The PTPN22 1858TT genotype was associated with the appearance of IAA (adjusted hazard ratio=4.6, 95% CI 2.4-9.0; p=0.000013). PTPN22, INS and HLA-DRB1 had an additive effect on the emergence of IAA. The 1858TT and CT genotypes conferred an increased risk of developing additional autoantibodies or clinical disease (hazard ratio=4.1, 95% CI 1.5-11.6; and 1.6, 95% CI 1.1-2.4, respectively; p=0.003). The strong effect of PTPN22 on disease susceptibility (p=2.1x10(-8)) was more pronounced in males (p=0.021) and in subjects with non-DR4-DQ8/low-risk HLA genotypes (p=0.0004). Conclusions/interpretation: In the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes the underlying mechanism of the PTPN22 C1858T polymorphism appears to involve regulation of insulin-specific autoimmunity. Importantly, it strongly affects progression from prediabetes to clinical disease.