A physician explains to a medical student that the insulin deficiency seen in Type 1 diabetes results from damage to pancreatic beta cells. Which underlying factor is most directly responsible for this damage?

• A. Persistent hypersecretion of cortisol from the adrenal cortex.
• B. Viral infection causing immediate necrosis of all pancreatic tissue.
• C. Autoimmune recognition of beta-cell antigens by the immune system.
• D. Reduced blood supply to the pancreas due to atherosclerosis.

Answer: (C)