Transgenic expression of mouse proinsulin II prevents diabetes in nonobese diabetic mice
- Author(s)
- French, MB; Allison, J; Cram, DS; Thomas, HE; DempseyCollier, M; Silva, A; Georgiou, HM; Kay, TW; Harrison, LC; Lew, AM;
- Details
- Publication Year 1997-01,Volume 46,Issue #1,Page 34-39
- Journal Title
- DIABETES
- Publication Type
- Journal Article
- Abstract
- IDDM in humans and in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice is a T-cell-dependent antoimmune disease in which the beta-cells of the pancreatic islets are destroyed, Several putative beta-cell autoantigens have been identified, but insulin and its precursor, proinsulin, are the only ones that are beta-cell specific, (Pro)insulin may be a keg autoantigen in IDDM. To address the role of proinsulin in the development of IDDM, we generated NOD mice transgenic for the mouse proinsulin II gene driven off a major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II promoter to direct expression of the transgene to MHC class II bearing cells, including those in the thymus, with the aim of deleting proinsulin-reactive T-cells, The mononuclear cell infiltration of the islets (insulitis) is almost completely absent, and diabetes is prevented in these transgenic NOD mice. The mononuclear cell infiltration of the salivary glands (sialitis) and immune responses to ovalbumin (OVA) are not altered, indicating that the protective effect of the transgene is specific for islet pathology and not due to general immunosuppression, We conclude that autoimmunity to proinsulin plays a pivotal role in the development of IDDM.
- Publisher
- AMER DIABETES ASSOC
- Keywords
- GLUTAMIC-ACID DECARBOXYLASE; T-CELL TOLERANCE; NOD MICE; INSULIN AUTOANTIBODIES; AUTOIMMUNE-DISEASE; MELLITUS; CYCLOPHOSPHAMIDE; TRANSCRIPTION; SUPPRESSION; ANTIBODIES
- Publisher's Version
- https://doi.org/10.2337/diabetes.46.1.34
- Terms of Use/Rights Notice
- Refer to copyright notice on published article.
Creation Date: 1997-01-01 12:00:00