In vitro inhibition of pancreatic B cell function by lymphocytes from diabetics with associated autoimmune diseases: a T cell phenomenon.

Abstract

Lymphocytes from insulin-dependent diabetic patients were previously shown to suppress insulin release from mouse islet cells in vitro. Glucagon release was not suppressed. In order to further analyze this phenomenon, lymphocytes from three insulin-dependent diabetic patients with associated autoimmune diseases were treated by using the panning method for cell separation before testing on islet cell suspensions. The OKT3+, OKT3-, and OKT4- cell subsets were obtained. Insulin release was suppressed by the OKT3+ (T lymphocyte-enriched) subset, but not by the OKT3- (T lymphocyte-depleted) subset. These results suggest that T lymphocytes are directly involved in the suppression of insulin release in this model. Furthermore, the OKT4- (T helper-depleted) subset also suppressed insulin release.