Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells leads to which disease?

• A. Hashimoto thyroiditis
• B. Type 1 diabetes
• C. Multiple sclerosis
• D. Myasthenia gravis

Answer: (B)

Autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells causes a loss of insulin production. Without insulin, glucose cannot be effectively taken up by most body cells, so blood glucose levels rise and patients develop the classic signs of diabetes. This form of diabetes is type 1, which is driven by an autoimmune T-cell–mediated attack on the insulin-producing beta cells of the islets of Langerhans, often presenting in younger individuals and requiring lifelong insulin therapy.

The other diseases listed involve different organs or systems. Hashimoto thyroiditis targets the thyroid, leading to hypothyroidism; multiple sclerosis involves immune attack on central nervous system myelin; myasthenia gravis affects acetylcholine receptors at the neuromuscular junction.