Development and function of diabetogenic T-cells in B-cell-deficient nonobese diabetic mice

摘要

Insulin-dependent diabetes(type 1 diabetes)in the NOD mouse is a T-cell-mediated autoimmune disease. However, B-cells may also play a critical role in disease Pathogenesis, as genetically B-cell-deficient OD mice (NOD.μMT)have been shown to be protected from type 1 diabetes and to display reduced responses to certain islet autoantigens. To examine the requirements for B-cells in the development of type 1 diabetes, we gen- Erated a B-cell-naive T-cell repertoire by transplanta- Tion of NOD fetal thymuses(FTs)into NOD.scid Recipients.