Transgenic mice with I-A on islet cells are normoglycemic but immunologically intolerant

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is caused by specific loss of the insulin-producing beta cells from pancreatic Langerhans islets. It has been proposed that aberrant expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules on these cells could be a triggering factor for thei...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1989-01, Vol.244 (4904), p.1179-1183
Main Authors: Boehme, J, Haskins, K, Stecha, P, van Ewijk, W, LeMeur, M, Gerlinger, P, Benoist, C, Mathis, D
Format: Article
Language:English
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Summary:Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is caused by specific loss of the insulin-producing beta cells from pancreatic Langerhans islets. It has been proposed that aberrant expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II molecules on these cells could be a triggering factor for their autoimmune destruction. This proposal was tested in transgenic mice that express allogeneic or syngeneic class II molecules on the surface of islet cells at a level comparable with the normally found on resting B lymphocytes. These animals do not develop diabetes, nor is lymphocyte infiltration of the islets observed. This immunological inactivity does not result from tolerance to the "foreign" class II molecules.
ISSN:0036-8075