The present invention relates to the fields of immunology and autoimmunity. More specifically, the present invention provides methods and compositions directed to the generation and use of antibodies to the pancreatic zinc transporter, ZnT8. The present invention also provides an isolated antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds ZnT8 comprising a VH comprising one of the amino acid sequences set forth in SEQ ID NOS:2, 12, 22, 32, 42 and 52. In alternative embodiments an isolated antibody or antigen-binding fragment thereof that specifically binds ZnT8 comprises a VL comprising one of the amino acid sequences as set forth in SEQ ID NOS:7, 17, 27, 37, 47 and 57.