Our observation of reduced number of autophagosomes, and reduced colocalisation of LC3 with LAMP1 in beta cells of donors with type 1 diabetes, suggest three possibilities: (1) reduced formation of autophagosomes; (2) increased clearance of autophagosomes; and/or (3) release of autophagosomes from the cells. This evidence concerns the gene LAMP1 and type 1 diabetes mellitus.