In the context of the stress induced development of T1DM, it has been reported that a stress induced protein of Mr.11kDa identified to be dermcidin isoform 2 (dermcidin), is produced both in the pons of the brain (4) and in the endothelial cells under stress induced by acute hypoxia and by tobacco smoke (unpublished). Here, DCD is linked to type 1 diabetes mellitus.