Non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice display enhanced immune responses and prolonged survival of lymphoid cells

We report that lymphoid cells originating from the non-obesediabetic (NOD) aftoimmune prone mouse strain are resistant toseveral signals known to induce programmed cell death. In vitroculturlng of lymphoid cells of splenic or lymph node originshowed that B cells and T cells of both CD4⁺ and CD8⁺ phenotypesfrom NOD mice display extended survival in vitro. By cytofluorimetrlcanalysis, Immature CD4⁺CD8⁺ NOD thymocytes were shown to partiallyresist in vivo treatment with corticosterolds. Finally, Immunizationwith protein antigens induced enhanced and prolonged Immuneresponses in NOD mice compared with normal C57BL/6, BALB/c,and C3H/TH control mice. We conclude that the NOD mouse displaysa defect in the mechanl8m(8) mediating programmed cell deathin T and B lymphocytes. These findings provide a novel explanationfor the B cell aberrations observed in the NOD mouse and mayhave Implications for the understanding of the aftoimmune pathogeneslsin this mouse strain.