Dissecting autoimmune diabetes through genetic manipulation of non-obese diabetic mice

Type 1 diabetes results from a genetically and immunologically complex autoimmune process that is specifically directed against the pancreatic beta cells. Non-obese diabetic mice spontaneously develop a form of autoimmune diabetes closely resembling the disease in humans. This happens because, like human diabetic patients, non-obese diabetic mice have an unfortunate combination of apparently normal alleles at numerous loci associated with Type 1 diabetes. In isolation, each of these allelic variants affords a small degree of susceptibility to diabetes. In combination, however, they set in motion a series of immunological events that lead to islet inflammation and overt diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is associated with defects in self-tolerance and immunoregulation. It involves presentation of beta cell antigens to autoreactive T lymphocytes by professional antigen-presenting cells, the recruitment of antigen-activated T cells into pancreatic islets, and the differentiation of these antigen-activated lymphocytes into beta cell killers. Understanding the precise sequence of events in the pathogenesis of Type 1 diabetes has been, and remains, a challenging task. Much of our understanding of the immunology of the disease stems from studies of genetically engineered, non-obese diabetic mice. These mice provide reductionist systems, with which the contribution of individual cellular elements, molecules or genes to the disease process can be dissected. This review focuses on the lessons that have been learned through studies of these mice.Abbreviations APCs, antigen-presenting cells - 2m, beta-2 microglobulin - CD62L, L-selectin - CDR3, complementarity-determining region 3 - CTL, cytotoxic T lymphocyte - DC, dendritic cell - IA-2, insulinoma-associated protein 2 - ICA69, islet cell antigen 69 KDa - ICAM-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 - IFN-, interferon- - LFA-1, leucocyte function-associated antigen-1 - mAb, monoclonal antibody - NK, natural killer - MIP-1, macrophage inflammatory protein 1 - NOD, non-obese diabetic - 8.3-NOD, 8.3-TCR-transgenic NOD mice - PLN, pancreatic lymph node - rag, recombination-activating gene - RAG-2, recombination-activating gene 2 - RIP, rat insulin promoter - TCR, T cell receptor     

Preventive effect of a new immunosuppressant FK-506 on insulitis and diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice

Summary We investigated the effect of an immunosuppressant FK-506 on histological change of islets, the onset of diabetes, and the change of spleen cell subsets in female non-obese diabetic mice. Mice administered intraperitoneally with FK-506 from 5 to 20 weeks of age showed marked suppression of mononuclear cell infiltration (insulitis) at 10 weeks of age. Among the subsets of the spleen cells, a significant decrease in the population of Thyl.2-positive T cells (pan-T), L3T4-positive T cells (mainly helper/inducer), and Lyt2-positive T cells (mainly suppressor/cytotoxic) was observed in FK-506-treated mice. Furthermore, glucose tolerance of the mice at 15 weeks of age was clearly improved. Cumulative incidence observed up to 40 weeks of age was 86% in control mice and 23% in FK-506-treated mice (p<0.01). These data indicate that FK-506 has a preventive effect on insulitis and diabetes by the suppression of cell-mediated autoimmunity in non-obese diabetic mice.     

Th1细胞在NOD小鼠糖尿病早期的应用

目的评价Th1细胞对NOD小鼠糖尿病早期变化的作用。方法选择4 w、8 w和16 w的雌性NOD小鼠,采用流式细胞术测定脾Th1细胞,采用免疫组化法检测胰腺内Th1细胞。结果随年龄增加,雌性NOD小鼠脾和胰腺内Th1细胞逐渐增加。结论 Th1细胞参与NOD小鼠糖尿病早期的病理过程。     

血糖与NOD小鼠肝细胞脂肪变性的关系

目的探讨非肥胖性糖尿病(None-obese diabetic NOD)小鼠的肝组织学改变及其与空腹血糖的关系.方法26只NOD小鼠,低脂低蛋白饮食饲养于屏障系统内.观察至发生显性糖尿病或9月龄时处死.分析肝细胞脂肪变性与空腹血糖的关系.结果实验结束时,11只小鼠空腹血糖水平始终正常,15只(57.7%)发生糖尿病.糖尿病组空腹血糖、糖化血红蛋白较血糖正常组显著升高,两组小鼠体重无显著差异.苏木精-伊红染色显示肝组织学改变基本正常者7例(26.9%),其余小鼠均有泡沫样和(或)大泡性肝细胞脂肪变性,8例(30.8%)达到脂肪肝的诊断标准.相关分析显示,随着NOD小鼠血糖水平升高,肝脂肪变性程度呈加剧趋势;糖尿病组肝脂肪变程度显著重于血糖正常组(秩和检验H=14.084,P＜0.001).脂肪肝组(n=8)血糖和糖化血红蛋白显著高于非脂肪肝组(n=17),分别为26.10±7.12对12.31±10.00mmol/L(t=3.057,P＜0.01)和6.90±1.66对3.91±2.11mmol/L(t=3.547,P＜0.01).结论NOD小鼠是研究1型糖尿病与脂肪肝相关性的良好模型,空腹血糖水平与NOD小鼠肝脂肪变性程度密切相关.     

Novel T-cell inhibiting peptides delay the onset of Type 1 diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice

The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of immunomodulatory peptides in preventing the spontaneous onset of Type 1 diabetes in NOD mice. Two such peptides, CP and C1, were injected intraperitoneally in NOD mice three times a week starting at two different time points, nine weeks and 11 weeks of age, and blood sugar levels monitored for the development of diabetes. CP was shown to be effective in delaying the onset of diabetes compared to control (P = 0.006). The timing of peptide administration was crucial since delay in treatment did not prevent the onset of diabetes (nine weeks versus 11 weeks of age). C1 was effective in delaying the onset of Type 1 diabetes with borderline significance when given at week 11 (P = 0.05). These findings confirm the efficacy of these peptides in the prevention and possible treatment for Type 1 diabetes and thereby create new opportunities for genetic manipulation.     

The role of cytotoxic macrophages in non-obese diabetic mice: cytotoxicity against murine mastocytoma and beta-cell lines

Summary The cytotoxicity of macrophages from non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice against murine mastocytoma (P-815), and murine beta-cell lines having the NOD gene background (MIN6N-9a), were examined. Peritoneal exudate cells from 20-week-old mice showed higher cytotoxicity, measured as inhibition of thymidine uptake into P-815, than those from 12-week-old mice (p <0.01). In cyclophosphamide-injected mice, cytotoxicity of peritoneal exudate cells had increased at 8 days post-injection, at which time the mice were not diabetic. To confirm macrophage cytotoxicity against pancreatic cells and examine its cytolytic mechanism, the cytotoxicity of peritoneal exudate cells from cyclophosphamide-injected NOD mice against MIN6N-9a cells was measured by the chromium release assay. These peritoneal exudate cells showed higher cytotoxicity as compared to those of saline-injected mice (p <0.001). Macrophages were demonstrated to be the major component of peritoneal exudate cells (50%) by flowcytometric analyses. Cytotoxicity increased with macrophage enrichment by adhesion (p <0.01). Furthermore, a macrophage toxin, silica, completely blocked the cytotoxicity (p <0.001). Cytokines (interleukin 1 and tumour necrosis factor) and a nitric-oxide-producing vasodilator, sodium nitroprusside, were cytotoxic to MIN6N-9a cells but only sodium nitroprusside showed cytotoxicity when incubated for the same period as peritoneal exudate cells. Thus, macrophages play an important role in beta-cell destruction and soluble factors other than cytokines (e.g. nitric oxide) may be mediators of this early cytolytic process.     

Persistent MHV (mouse hepatitis virus) infection reduces the incidence of diabetes mellitus in non-obese diabetic mice

Summary The frequency of diabetes mellitus was compared in non-obese diabetic mice before and after inadvertent exposure of the colony to mouse hepatitis virus infection. Prior to exposure, diabetes prevalence and cumulative diabetes incidence in 7-month-old mice was 65% and 25% in females and males, respectively. Diabetes incidence/quarter revealed a seasonal pattern with peaks in winter. After mouse hepatitis exposure, the diabetes incidence in the colony decreased and testing for mouse hepatitis antibody in blood samples revealed a persistent infection. In the offspring of mice delivered by caesarian section, the diabetic incidence increased sharply from a nadir of 36% to 95% and from 9% to 65% in females and males, respectively. In individual mice, diabetes resistance was strongly correlated to high titres of mouse hepatitis virus antibody. The results of this inadvertent viral infection demonstrate that a diabetes-susceptible genotype is strongly modulated by environmental factors. Investigators studying this diabetes model should strive for specific pathogen-free colony status and a high incidence of diabetes before attempting to investigate therapeutic modalities.     

Raised temperature reduces the incidence of diabetes in the NOD mouse

Summary An association between the incidence of childhood Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus and the average yearly temperature in different countries has been reported, the incidence being higher in countries with a lower mean temperature. We have studied the effect of environmental temperature on the incidence of diabetes in an animal model of Type 1 diabetes, the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse. Female NOD mice were divided at weaning, with one group placed at a higher temperature (mean 23.7±1.7° C) and the other at a lower temperature (21.0±1.8° C). At 20 weeks of age 6 of 16 mice at lower temperature and 1 of 17 mice at higher temperature had developed diabetes (p < 0.02); at 30 weeks 10 of 16 and 5 of 17 mice had developed diabetes (p < 0.05). Non-diabetic animals in the low temperature group had a higher food intake than those in the high temperature group between 13–15 weeks of age (28.0±1.2 g/week vs 24.8± 0.7 g/week, P < 0.05). In a parallel experiment, histological examination showed that there were similar degrees of insulitis in the high and low temperature groups at seven weeks of age. We conclude that environmental temperature can affect the incidence of diabetes in the NOD mouse and that this may be related to alterations in food intake.     

Diabetes preventive gluten-free diet decreases the number of caecal bacteria in non-obese diabetic mice

BACKGROUND: A gluten-free diet reduces the incidence of diabetes mellitus in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, but the mechanism is not known. The aim of this study was to examine the possible influence of the diet on the caecal bacterial flora, which may affect the intestinal physiology and mediate disease prevention. METHODS: Two groups of NOD mice from the age of 3 weeks were fed either a gluten-free diet or a standard diet. Each diabetic mouse, when diagnosed, along with a non-diabetic mouse from the same diet group and two non-diabetic mice from the alternate diet group were euthanized and sampled for classical bacteriological examination. RESULTS: Nine out of 19 (47%) standard-fed mice and 1 out of 19 (5%) gluten-free-fed mice developed diabetes (p < 0.01). Mice on the gluten-free diet had significantly fewer aerobically (p < 0.01) and microaerophilically (p < 0.001) cultivated bacteria in their intestines than standard-fed mice. Non-diabetic mice also had significantly fewer microa erophilic and anaerobic bacteria than diabetic mice (p < 0.05). These differences were primarily due to a difference in the Gram-positive flora. CONCLUSIONS: The gluten-free diet compared to the standard diet both qualitatively and quantitatively substantially altered the composition of the caecal bacterial flora in NOD mice. Although Gram-positive bacteria might influence the beta cells through certain digestive products, it is more likely to assume that any effect on diabetes incidence is immunological.     

Insulin and glucagon in spontaneously diabetic non-obese mice

Summary To investigate the rôle of glucagon in the development of diabetes mellitus, spontaneously diabetic non-obese mice were studied before (group 1) and after the onset of diabetes mellitus (group 2). In group 1, fasting blood glucose and insulin in plasma and pancreas did not differ significantly, while plasma glucagon was elevated (48.9±10.4 versus control 18.6±6.0pmol/l). In group 2, the insulin content of plasma and the pancreas were markedly reduced, whereas plasma glucagon was elevated (180.9±59.1 pmol/l). When diabetic mice were treated with insulin for 4 weeks (group 3), plasma glucagon was markedly reduced compared with that of group 2 (30.3±9.0 pmol/l). In group 1, glucagon and glucagon-like immunoreactivity of the intestine were reduced. The glucagon content of the intestine was elevated in group 2. Group 3 elicited increased contents of gastric glucagon as well as intestinal glucagon-like immunoreactivity. We conclude that, in addition to insulin deficiency, hypersecretion of glucagon might contribute to the development and clinical course of diabetes mellitus in the non-obese diabetic mouse.     

Infection with Schistosoma mansoni prevents insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in non-obese diabetic mice

The spontaneous development of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice has been shown to be mediated by a Th1 response against beta cell antigens. It is known that in murine models of Schistosoma mansoni infection, egg production is associated with a switch from a Th1 to Th2 response. This subsequent dominance of a Th2 response in S.mansoni infected mice has been shown to influence the response to other infectious agents or antigens. We therefore determined whether infection with S.mansoni could influence the spontaneous incidence of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in NOD mice. Infection with this helminth significantly reduced the spontaneous incidence of IDDM. IDDM was also prevented by injecting parasite eggs alone. Because until relatively recently humans might expect to succumb to a variety of infectious agents, the current freedom from infection might permit the expression of a genetic predisposition to autoimmune pathology and be responsible for the increased incidence of IDDM.     

Prospective prediction of spontaneous but not recurrent autoimmune diabetes in the non-obese diabetic mouse

Aims/hypothesis Type 1 diabetes is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease with a clinically silent prodrome, during which prediction and treatment of disease are theoretically possible. Using retrospective analysis, spontaneous disease in the non-obese diabetic (NOD) mouse has been correlated with islet-specific glucose-6-phosphatase catalytic subunit-related protein (IGRP)-reactive CD8⁺ T cells in the peripheral blood. In this study, we determined prospectively whether IGRP-reactive T cells in peripheral blood could predict disease occurrence. Since recurrent autoimmunity is an important contributor to transplant failure, we also determined whether failure of islet grafts (syngeneic and allogeneic) could be predicted by the presence of circulating autoreactive T cells. Materials and methods Peripheral blood samples were taken weekly from female NOD mice between the ages of 8 and 30 weeks and from NOD mice transplanted with NODscid islets. Peripheral blood cells and islet grafts were analysed for the presence of IGRP-reactive CD8⁺ T cells by flow cytometry. Results Prospective analysis of peripheral blood IGRP-reactive T cells in the prediabetic period predicted disease development with a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 60%, resulting in positive and negative predictive values of 85 and 100%, respectively. Significant proportions of IGRP-reactive T cells were found in the grafts, but not in peripheral blood of NOD mice undergoing syngeneic and allogeneic rejection. Conclusions/interpretation The occurrence of spontaneous diabetes can be predicted prospectively by measuring peripheral blood autoreactive T cells. Rejection of syngeneic or allogeneic islets is associated with large populations of autoreactive CD8⁺ T cells within islets, suggesting that immunodominant autoreactive T cells during the prediabetic period are also responsible for autoimmune graft rejection.     

Neuropeptide contents in the duodenum of non-obese diabetic mice

Twelve pre-diabetic and 12 diabetic female NOD mice aged 22–24 weeks were studied. As controls, 12 female BALB/cJ of the same age and sex were used. The duodenal content of several neuropeptides, namely vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), neurotensin, neuropeptide Y (NPY), galanin, gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and enkephalin was determined by radioimmunoassay of tissue extracts. The VIP content in duodenal extracts from both pre-diabetic and diabetic NOD mice was significantly higher than that of the controls. The enkephalin content of the duodenum of diabetic mice was significantly higher than that of the controls, while no significant difference was found between the controls and pre-diabetic mice. There was no statistically significant difference between controls and NOD mice regarding the duodenal content of neurotensin, NPY, galanin or GRP. It has been suggested that the high duodenal content of VIP appears to be primary to the onset of diabetes and that the high enkephalin content may be attributable to the diabetic state. The changes in the duodenal content of VIP and enkephalin reported here in an animal model for diabetes type I might be of relevance for the gastrointestinal complications occurring in human diabetes. Received: 6 August 1997 / Accepted in revised form: 14 November 1997     

Role of infiltrating T cells for impaired glucose metabolism in pancreatic islets isolated from non-obese diabetic mice

Summary Pancreatic islets isolated from non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, all of which have insulitis, exhibit an impaired glucose metabolism. In order to investigate the role of infiltrating lymphocytes for this altered metabolism, we injected 12- to 13-week-old female NOD mice with monoclonal antibodies directed against either the -T cell receptor, CD4⁺ or CD8⁺ T cells. Control NOD mice were injected with normal rat IgG or with the vehicle (phosphate buffered saline) alone. Injection of the three different monoclonal antibodies markedly reduced the mononuclear cell infiltration. An intravenous glucose tolerance test showed no differences between the groups. Islet insulin release in response to glucose was similar in all groups. In contrast, islets isolated from the control NOD mice with insulitis showed a high basal (1.7 mmol/l glucose) glucose oxidation rate and a small increase in the glucose oxidation rate in response to a high glucose concentration (16.7 mmol/l glucose). The monoclonal antibodies counteracted the elevated basal glucose oxidation rate of the islets. Parallel studies of stimulated mononuclear cells suggested that the contribution of glucose oxidized by islet-infiltrating lymphocytes could only partially explain the observed alterations in NOD mouse islet metabolism. Culture of islets obtained from NOD mice in the presence of the cytokine interleukin-1 induced a similar pattern of glucose metabolism as seen earlier in IgG or phosphate-buffered saline treated control NOD mice. In conclusion, alterations in the glucose oxidation rates seem to be an early sign of disturbance in islets isolated from NOD mice. These early alterations in glucose metabolism can be reversed in vivo by monoclonal antibodies directed against effector lymphocytes. This suggests that the infiltrating mononuclear cells can induce reversible alterations in pancreatic Beta-cell function which may precede impaired insulin secretion, Beta-cell destruction and overt diabetes mellitus.     

Role of the pineal gland and melatonin in the development of autoimmune diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice

Abstract: Earlier studies on the immunoregulatory role of the pineal gland and melatonin revealed that melatonin counteracts immunosuppression and thymus atrophy induced by stress or corticosteroid treatment. Moreover, melatonin protects mice injected with encephalitogenic virsuses, synergizes with interleukin-2 (IL-2) in cancer immunotherapy and rescues hematopoiesis from cancer chemotherapy toxicity. In regard to the mechanism of action, melatonin seems to act directly on CD4⁺ lymphocytes which release opioid peptides with immunoenhancing properties along with other cytokines. Because of these findings, we investigated the role of the pineal gland and melatonin in autoimmune diabetes mellitus type I using, as an experimental model, female non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Mice were pinealectomized or treated chronically with melatonin (injected subcutaneously or administered via drinking water). This paper shows that neonatal pinealectomy accelerates the development of the disease in female NOD mice while exogenous melatonin protects the animals. This in spite of the fact that melatonin increased the production of insulin autoantibodies (IAA). We conclude that the pineal gland and melatonin influence the development of autoimmune diabetes although the mechanism of action that needs further investigation.     

Combination therapy with low dose sirolimus and tacrolimus is synergistic in preventing spontaneous and recurrent autoimmune diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice

Aims/hypothesis: Sirolimus and tacrolimus are immunosuppressive drugs that prevent rejection of pancreatic islet allografts transplanted into patients with Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. This study aimed to determine whether sirolimus and tacrolimus can prevent autoimmune beta-cell destruction, and if so, what the mechanisms of action are. Methods: Sirolimus and tacrolimus were given separately and together to female non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice from age 12 to 35 weeks. Diabetes incidence was determined and pancreatic insulitis and insulin content were measured. Sirolimus and tacrolimus were also given separately and together to diabetic NOD mice from the time of syngeneic islet transplantation until the reappearance of hyperglycaemia. Islet grafts were examined by RT-PCR assay for expression of interferon (IFN)-γ, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-4, IL-10 and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1. Results: Low doses of sirolimus (0.1 mg/kg) and tacrolimus (0.1 mg/kg) were synergistic in reducing insulitis, preserving pancreatic insulin content and preventing diabetes in female NOD mice (8 % diabetes incidence at 35 weeks vs 66 % in vehicle-treated mice). Also, the combination of sirolimus and tacrolimus prolonged syngeneic islet graft survival (median 34 days vs 13 days for vehicle-treated mice). Islet grafts from sirolimus plus tacrolimus-treated mice expressed significantly decreased mRNA contents of Th1-type cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-2) and the highest ratio of TGF-β1/IFN-γ mRNA. Conclusion/interpretation: These findings suggest that combination therapy with sirolimus and tacrolimus prevent autoimmune beta-cell destruction by upregulating expression of the immunoregulatory cytokine, TGF-β1 and reducing Th1 cytokines (IFN-γ and IL-2) expressed in the islets. Low-dose sirolimus and tacrolimus combination therapy could warrant consideration for prevention or early treatment of human Type I diabetes. [Diabetologia (2002) 45: 224–230] Received: 20 August 2001 and in revised form: 29 October 2001     

Xenografts of porcine islets immunoprotected in hollow fibres reduce the incidence of diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice

Summary Non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice develop an autoimmune disease with a long prodromal period and constitute a model for investigating the prevention of human insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Since insulin injected prophylactically has been shown to reduce incidence of diabetes in NOD mice, we tested a new strategy consisting of prophylactic xenografts of porcine pancreatic islets immunoprotected in semipermeable hollow fibres. Female NOD mice were transplanted twice (at 60 and 180 days of age) with islet-containing or empty fibres. Within the group grafted with protected islets, the incidence of diabetes was reduced (37 vs 75%; p<0.01), the onset of disease was delayed (p<0.02), and the severity of lymphocytic inflammation of endogenous islets was reduced (p<0.02). When already diabetic mice were not taken into account for analysis, blood glucose level was slightly lower in those grafted with islet-containing fibres (p<0.04). Graft function was also evidenced by HPLC separation of porcine insulin in NOD sera. Histological and perifusion studies of fibres retrieved from recipients confirmed immunoprotection. During co-transfer, T splenocytes from mice grafted with islet-containing fibres were able to reduce the capacity of T cells from diabetic donors to adoptively transfer the disease (p<0.01). Antigens for islet-cell autoantibodies (ICA) in pancreata from both groups were compared by immunofluorescence with the same ICA-positive human sera to ensure that differences were due to antigen quantitative changes. These antigens, which could serve as an index of a possibly more extensive antigen beta-cell rest, were decreased (p<0.01) in mice grafted with protected islets. Reduction of diabetes and insulitis following early islet transplantation may thus be due to generation of cellular mechanisms that actively suppress disease, and possibly in part to a decrease in antigens which make beta cells less vulnerable to autoimmune aggression. These effects can be obtained with xenogeneic islets protected in hollow fibres, thereby eliminating the need for immunosuppression. Based on the concept of prophylactic insulin therapy, this form of insulin administration offers a controlled means of delivering insulin to meet the physiological needs of recipients.Abbreviations NOD mice Non-obese diabetic mice - ICA islet cell antibodies - GAD glutamic acid decarboxylase - IDDM insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus - TFA trifluoroacetic acid - JDFU Juvenile Diabetes Foundation units     

Vitamin D deficiency in early life accelerates Type 1 diabetes in non-obese diabetic mice

Aims/hypothesis 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃, the active form of vitamin D, prevents Type 1 diabetes in non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice. Epidemiological data show a threefold increase in human Type 1 diabetes when vitamin D deficiency was present in the first months of life. To evaluate whether a similar dietary deficiency affects diabetes incidence in NOD mice, we generated NOD mice with vitamin D deficiency in early life.Methods Breeding pairs of NOD mice, as well as their offspring (test mice), were kept in surroundings devoid of ultraviolet light and were fed a vitamin D-depleted diet for 100 days. Mice were followed for 250 days.Results At 250 days, 35% (12/35) male and 66% (22/33) female vitamin D-deficient mice were diabetic compared to 15% (6/40, p=0.05) and 45% (13/29, p<0.01) of the control mice. At 100 days no difference in insulitis was seen, but more vitamin D-deficient mice were glucose intolerant. Higher IL1 expression was detected in islets of vitamin D-deficient mice and their peritoneal macrophages had an aberrant cytokine profile (low IL1 and IL6, high IL15). Thymus and lymph nodes of vitamin D-deficient mice contained less CD4⁺CD62L⁺ cells.Conclusion/interpretation Vitamin D status increases the expression of Type 1 diabetes in NOD mice. Our data in NOD mice, as well as human epidemiological data, point to the importance of preventing vitamin D deficiency in early childhood. Controlling this dietary factor could be an easy and safe way to reduce the incidence of Type 1 diabetes in subjects who are genetically at risk.Abbreviations 1,25(OH)₂D₃ 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ - 25(OH)D₃ 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ - BW body weight - HBSS Hanks balanced salt solution - IP interferon-inducible protein - IPGTT intra-peritoneal glucose tolerance test - iNOS inducible nitric oxide synthase - LPS lipopolysaccharide - MCP monocyte chemo-attractant protein - MIP macrophage inflammatory protein - MLR mixed lymphocyte reaction - NOD non-obese diabetic - RPMI Roswell Park Memorial Institute - UV ultraviolet     

Autoantigen-specific protection of non-obese diabetic mice from cyclophosphamide-accelerated diabetes by vaccination with dendritic cells

Aims/hypothesis Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional antigen presenting cells involved in the initiation of primary immune responses and the preservation of peripheral tolerance. The aim of this study was to develop a DC vaccine for autoantigen-specific prevention of autoimmune diabetes.Methods Splenocytes from diabetes-prone NOD mice were cultured in conditioned media to obtain a homogeneous DC sub-population for vaccination experiments. These cells were used to modulate autoimmune responses in NOD mice after synchronization of diabetes with cyclophosphamide. After immunisation with insulin-pulsed DCs the incidence of diabetes, the insulitis grade and the cytokine production was examined.Results The long-term culture of splenocytes resulted in the generation of a cell line, termed NOD-DC1, which have a phenotype of myeloid DCs (CD11c, CD11b, DEC-205), express MHC class II and co-stimulatory molecules (CD40, CD80, CD86). The NOD-DC1 cells have preserved functional activity shown by the detection of a high antigen uptake capacity, the induction of a mixed lymphocyte reaction and stimuli-dependent IL-6 and TNF- secretion. Vaccination with insulin-pulsed NOD-DC1 cells results in an antigen-specific prevention of diabetes. This was mediated by a reduction of the severity of insulitis and a decrease of T helper 1 effector cells.Conclusion/interpretation We describe the generation of a DC line which confers protection from diabetes in an antigen-specific way. Our data shows that autoantigen-loaded DCs can induce strong immunoregulatory effects supporting the hypothesis that DCs are promising candidates to develop novel vaccines for the prevention of autoimmune diabetes.Abbreviations APC antigen-presenting cells - CY cyclophosphamide - DCs, dendritic cells - LPS lipopolysaccharide - mAb monoclonal antibodies - NOD non-obese diabetic - Th T-helper cells     

Tolbutamide reduces the incidence of diabetes mellitus,but not insulitis,in the non-obese-diabetic mouse

Summary The functional state of beta cells may influence the rate of their destruction in Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus. We examined the effect of diazoxide, which inhibits insulin secretion, or tolbutamide, which stimulates insulin secretion, upon the incidence of diabetes in the non-obese-diabetic (NOD) mouse. Female mice were treated from 3–30 weeks of age with diet containing diazoxide 250 mg·kg⁻¹ or tolbutamide 125 mg·kg⁻¹. The cumulative incidence of diabetes at 35 weeks was similar in the diazoxide (16 of 24) and control (18 of 24) groups, but reduced in the tolbutamide group (10 of 23,p<0.04 vs control group). In a second experiment, treatment was started from 9 weeks of age, by which time insulitis is already present. The cumulative incidence of diabetes at 35 weeks was 16 of 24 in controls, 15 of 24 on diazoxide and 11 of 24 on tolbutamide (p=NS vs control). A third experiment compared the effect of treatment from 3 weeks with control diet or diet containing tolbutamide 125 mg·kg⁻¹ or 500 mg·kg⁻¹. Diabetes was reduced by tolbutamide treatment, with a cumulative incidence of 25 of 31 in controls, 18 of 30 on tolbutamide 125 mg·kg⁻¹ (p<0.04) and 14 of 32 on 500 mg·kg⁻¹ (p<0.002), although the difference between the two treatment groups failed to reach statistical significance. A fourth experiment showed that treatment from 3–12 weeks with diazoxide 1000 mg·kg⁻¹ increased the extent of insulitis compared with controls and animals treated with tolbutamide 500 mg·kg⁻¹. Elucidation of the mechanisms by which tolbutamide reduces the incidence of diabetes in the NOD mouse has implications for human intervention trials.