We hypothesize that the activation of NK cell 12/15-LO (Alox15, in mice) or 12-LO (ALOX12, in humans) through environmental triggers, such as Coxsackievirus infection, contributes to T1D initiation by affecting the normal innate immune interplay between NK cells and islets, which primes downstream autoimmune responses leading to islet destruction. This evidence concerns the gene ALOX12 and type 1 diabetes mellitus.