The intestinal immune system plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus. The transplantation of mesenteric lymphocytes can transmit diabetes, which indicates the islet-damaging T cells may be derived from the intestine. Intestinal virus infection, oral gluten antigen and intestinal flora changes are associated with diabetes. The immune cells in gut including T cells, macrophage, natural killer cells, dendritic cells and so on are also confirmed to be involved in the pathogenesis of diabetes. In addition, intestinal immune system influences the occurrence and development of diabetes by modulating the intestinal barrier permeability, the expression of pattern recognition receptors, the changes of incretin and the damage of immune tolerance. The induction of gut immune tolerance and regulation of intestinal flora for the treatment of diabetes have also been widespread concerned. This article summarizes the research progress on the relation of diabetes and intestinal immune system, and also briefly introduces the development of the intestine immune therapy.
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