The research also emphasizes the importance of timing and environmental exposures in the development of autoimmunity. For instance, the TEDDY study's findings on the interaction between HLA genotype and early probiotic exposure suggest that dietary interventions during infancy could potentially mitigate the risk of islet autoimmunity in genetically susceptible individuals (ref: Uusitalo doi.org/10.2337/dc23-0417/). Additionally, the association between gastrointestinal infections and the emergence of insulin autoantibodies indicates that early-life infections may play a critical role in the autoimmune process leading to T1D (ref: Lönnrot doi.org/10.2337/dc23-0518/). Collectively, these studies highlight the need for further investigation into preventive strategies that consider both genetic and environmental factors to reduce the incidence of T1D.