Abstract:
The present invention provides pharmaceutical compositions and methods for reducing the incidence or severity of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, insulitis, null-cell destruction, or latent autoimmune diabetes in adults by administering to a patient a pharmaceutical composition comprising an antigen and a carrier, wherein the antigen is recognized by inflammatory T cells associated with the pathogenesis of the disease and the carrier is a metabolizable lipid emulsion. The composition induces a TH1nullTH2 shift in the cytokines produced by said T cells and it is administered in an amount, which is therapeutically effective to reduce the symptoms of the disease.