Monocytes were isolated from controls and T1D patients and the LPS-stimulated increase of IL-6, CXCL8, monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (CCL2, MCP-1) and superoxide dismutase (SOD 2), as well as the LPS-mediated decrease of apolipoprotein E (Apo E) in primary human monocytes from controls and T1D patients was determined. Here, APOE is linked to type 1 diabetes mellitus.