DR-BB Rats Research Articles

TLR Activation Synergizes with Kilham Rat Virus Infection to Induce Diabetes in BBDR Rats

Virus infection is hypothesized to be an important environmental "trigger" of type 1 diabetes in humans. We used the BBDR rat model to investigate the relationship between viral infection and autoimmune diabetes. BBDR rats are diabetes-free in viral Ab-free housing, but the disease develops in approximately 30% of BBDR rats infected with Kilham rat virus (KRV) through a process that does not involve infection of pancreatic beta cells. Pretreatment with polyinosinic-polycytidylic (poly(I:C)), a ligand of TLR3, acts synergistically to induce diabetes in 100% of KRV-infected rats. The mechanisms by which KRV induces diabetes and TLR3 ligation facilitates this process are not clear. In this study, we demonstrate that activation of the innate immune system plays a crucial role in diabetes induction. We report that multiple TLR agonists synergize with KRV infection to induce diabetes in BBDR rats, as do heat-killed Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus (natural TLR agonists). KRV infection increases serum IL-12 p40 in a strain-specific manner, and increases IL-12 p40, IFN-gamma-inducible protein-10, and IFN-gamma mRNA transcript levels, particularly in the pancreatic lymph nodes of BBDR rats. Infection with vaccinia virus or H-1 parvovirus induced less stimulation of the innate immune system and failed to induce diabetes in BBDR rats. Our results suggest that the degree to which the innate immune system is activated by TLRs is important for expression of virus-induced diabetes in genetically susceptible hosts.

Improved beta-cell survival and reduced insulitis in a type 1 diabetic rat model after treatment with a beta-cell-selective K(ATP) channel opener.

Treatment with ATP-sensitive K(+) channel openers (KCOs) leads to inhibition of insulin secretion and metabolic "rest" in beta-cells. It is hypothesized that in type 1 diabetes this may reduce beta-cell death resulting from metabolic stress as well as reduce the immunogenicity of the beta-cells during autoimmune beta-cell destruction. We have investigated whether the beta-cell-selective KCO compound, NN414, can be used to improve beta-cell survival in DR-BB rats rendered diabetic by modulation of their immune system. The rats were treated three times daily on days 1-19 with NN414, diazoxide, or vehicle. On day 21, an intravenous glucose tolerance test was conducted to assess beta-cell function. Postmortem histological analysis of rats' pancreata assessed the degree of insulitis and beta-cell volume. Among NN414-treated rats, 46% (16 of 35) were found to have a beta-cell mass similar to that of nondiabetic controls and significant glucose-stimulated C-peptide values, whereas only 11% (4 of 36) of vehicle-treated rats possessed a normal beta-cell mass and function (P < 0.002, by chi(2) test). Furthermore, responsive NN414-treated rats were almost free of insulitis. Thus, this study demonstrated that treatment with KCO compounds can indeed lead to preservation of beta-cell function and reduction of insulitis in a rat diabetes model.

A co-transfer system in young prediabetic BB rats: reactivated autoreactive T cells can be partly controlled

A transfer model for studying both the development and prevention of diabetes in rats is described in detail. Diabetes was induced in BBDR rats by combining RT6-depletion with PolyI:C treatment. Autoreactive cells were isolated from acutely diabetic donors, reactivated in vitro and transferred intravenously into young (<34-day-old) BBDP rats. Accelerated diabetes occurred 13±3 days or 18±4 days after transfer of reactivated splenocytes or purified T cells (42/43 or 26/27 recipients, respectively). Freshly isolated mesenteric and splenic leukocytes from adult, healthy BBDR rats prevented spontaneous diabetes in BBDP rats, but were not able to prevent the accelerated diabetes when co-transferred with the autoreactive cells. By contrast, diabetes was significantly delayed ( P<0.001) when protective cells were transferred 4 days prior to the autoreactive cells (16±3 days). In vivo tracking studies of the two types of transferred cells suggest different homing patterns which may explain this finding. The data suggest that leukocytes from BBDR contain cells with the ability to regulate reactivated autoreactive T cells in an autoimmune environment. This in vivo model of recurrent diabetes can therefore be used to define which type of cells are most effective in suppressing established autoimmune destruction of β-cells.

Type 1 cytokines polarize thymocytes during T cell development in adult thymus organ cultures

Peripheral T cells can be polarized towards type 1 or type 2 cytokine immune responses during TCR engagement. Because T cell selection by peptide plus self-MHC in the thymus requires TCR engagement, we hypothesized that type 1 cytokines may polarize developing T cells. We cultured thymi from BBDR rats in adult thymus organ cultures (ATOC) under type 1 cytokine conditions in the absence of exogenous antigen. Type 1 cytokine-conditioned ATOC generated cells that spontaneously secreted high levels of IFNγ, but not IL-4. A second exposure to type 1 cytokines further increased IFNγ secretion by these cells, most of which were blasts that expressed the activation markers CD25, CD71, CD86, and CD134. Studies using blocking antibodies and pharmacological inhibitors suggested that both IL-18 and cognate TCR–MHC/ligand interactions were important for activation. Blocking anti-MHC class I plus anti-MHC class II antibodies, neutralizing anti-IL-18 antibody, and the p38 MAP-kinase inhibitor SB203580 each reduced IFNγ production by ∼75–80%. Cyclosporin A, which prevents TCR signaling, inhibited IFNγ production by ∼50%. These data demonstrate that exposure to type 1 cytokines during intrathymic development can polarize differentiating T cells, and suggest a mechanism by which intrathymic exposure to type 1 cytokines may modulate T cell development.

The iddm4 locus segregates with diabetes susceptibility in congenic WF.iddm4 rats.

Viral antibody-free BBDR and WF rats never develop spontaneous diabetes. BBDR rats, however, develop autoimmune diabetes after perturbation of the immune system, e.g., by viral infection. We previously identified a disease-susceptibility locus in the BBDR rat, iddm4, which is associated with the development of autoimmune diabetes after treatment with polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid and an antibody that depletes ART2(+) regulatory cells. We have now developed lines of congenic WF.iddm4 rats and report that in an intercross of N5 generation WF.iddm4 rats, approximately 70% of animals either homozygous or heterozygous for the BBDR origin allele of iddm4 became hyperglycemic after treatment to induce diabetes. Fewer than 20% of rats expressing the WF origin allele of iddm4 became diabetic. Testing the progeny of various recombinant N5 WF.iddm4 congenic rats for susceptibility to diabetes suggests that iddm4 is centered on a small segment of chromosome 4 bounded by the proximal marker D4Rat135 and the distal marker D4Got51, an interval of <2.8 cM. The allele at iddm4 has 79% sensitivity and 80% specificity in prediction of diabetes in rats that are segregating for this locus. These characteristics suggest that iddm4 is one of the most powerful non-major histocompatibility complex determinants of susceptibility to autoimmune diabetes described to date.

Prevention of Autoimmune Diabetes in the DRBB Rat by CD40/154 Blockade

The autoimmune diabetes of the DRBB rat shares important similarities with autoimmune diabetes in humans. We have tested the ability of CD40/154 blockade using an anti-CD154 antibody (AH.F5) to prevent autoimmune diabetes in DRBB rats. The rats were treated with two intravenous doses/wk of AH.F5 (15mg/kg/dose) starting at 2–6wks of age. RT6.1 T-cell depletion and poly I/C was started at 4wks of age. Control rats developed diabetes within 25 days after start of depletion therapy. Six of 7, 11 of 13, 7 of 12, and 4 of 11 rats treated with AH.F5 did not develop diabetes when treatment was started at 2–3, 4, 5, and 6wks of age, respectively. The rats that did not develop diabetes were maintained for a minimum of 72 days to >150 days following the last dose of AH.F5. Eleven rats maintained for >150 days underwent an additional depletion and 5/11 developed diabetes within 8–19 days following start of depletion.Histological examination indicated that AH.F5 prevented and possibly reversed insulitis. Islets in about 50% of the treated rats remained free of inflammation following a second course of RT 6.1 T-cell depletion after the serum concentration of AH.F5 was negligible.In summary, CD40/154 blockade with AH.F5 prevents development of autoimmune diabetes if treatment is started prior to overt signs of beta cell destruction. The results indicate that the CD40/154 blockade can prevent diabetes by modifying the expansion or effector phase of the autoimmune diabetes.

Timing of pentoxifylline treatment determines its protective effect on diabetes development in the Bio Breeding rat

Diabetes-prone Bio Breeding (DP-BB) rats spontaneously develop diabetes between 60 and 120 days of age. Diabetes-resistant (DR)-BB rats can be induced to develop diabetes by poly(I:C) and anti-RT6. Here, we studied the effect of pentoxifylline, a potent anti-inflammatory agent, on diabetes development in both BB rat models of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and investigated whether these effects were related to differential modulation of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α and interleukin-10. When DP-BB rats received pentoxifylline from day 60 onwards, diabetes development was delayed and reduced. The other treatment protocols had no effect. In DR-BB rats, pentoxifylline treatment resulted only in a delay of diabetes development. In both BB rat models, in vivo pentoxifylline treatment potently suppressed TNF-α, but only moderately affected interleukin-10 production in vitro. These results show that timing of pentoxifylline treatment determines its protective effect on diabetes development in DP-BB rats. The observed pentoxifylline-induced increase of the interleukin-10/TNF-α ratio might be a mechanism for protection or delay of the diabetes development.

Clearance of apoptotic beta-cells is reduced in neonatal autoimmune diabetes-prone rats.

The kinetics of beta-cell death in neonatal diabetes-prone (BBdp) and diabetes-resistant (BBdr) BioBreeding rats was investigated using both direct (histochemical) and indirect (mathematical modelling) techniques. In both BBdp and BBdr rats, the incidence of TUNEL positive beta-cells increased until 10 days of age before declining. The number of apoptotic beta-cells was significantly higher in BBdp as compared to BBdr neonates from birth until 20 days of age (P<0.05). Using a mathematical model applied to the time course of beta-cell mass and replication rate, a wave of net beta-cell loss was detected between 10 and 20 days of age in both strains. In contrast to the observed difference in the incidence of TUNEL positive beta-cells, with the model-based approach we found no difference in the rate of beta-cell apoptosis between BBdp and BBdr rats prior to weaning. As the number of apoptotic cells present in a tissue depends on the rate at which cells die and the rate at which the apoptotic cell debris is cleared, we compared in vitro phagocytosis of apoptotic thymocytes by peritoneal macrophages from 2-week-old BBdp and BBdr rats. Macrophages from BBdp neonates engulfed significantly less apoptotic cells as compared to BBdr neonates (P<0.0005). Taken together, these findings suggest that there is impaired clearance of apoptotic beta-cells in diabetes-prone BB rats during the neonatal period.

The role of viruses in type I diabetes: two distinct cellular and molecular pathogenic mechanisms of virus-induced diabetes in animals.

Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus results from the progressive loss of pancreatic beta cells. Environmental factors are believed to play an important part in the development of Type I diabetes by influencing the penetrance of diabetes susceptibility genes. As one environmental factor, the virus has long been considered to play a part in this disease. To date 13 different viruses have been reported to be associated with the development of Type I diabetes in humans and in various animal models. The most clear and unequivocal evidence that a virus induces diabetes in animals comes from studies on the D variant of the encephalomyocarditis (EMC-D) virus in mice and the Kilham rat virus (KRV) in rats. The infection of genetically susceptible strains of mice with a high titre of EMC-D virus results in the development of diabetes within 3 days. This is largely due to the rapid destruction of beta cells by the replication of the virus within the beta cells. In contrast, the infection of mice with a low titre of EMC-D virus results in a limited replication of the virus before the induction of neutralizing anti-virus antibody and the subsequent recruitment of activated macrophages. The Src kinases, particularly hck, play an important part in the activation of macrophages and the subsequent production of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, interleukin (IL)-1 beta and nitric oxide (NO), leading to the destruction of beta cells which results in the development of diabetes. The Kilham rat virus causes autoimmune diabetes in diabetes resistant (DR)-BB rats without infection of beta cells. The infection of DR-BB rats with KRV results in the disruption of the finely tuned immune balance of Th1-like CD45RC+CD4+ and Th2-like CD45RC-CD4+ T cells, leading to the selective activation of beta-cell-cytotoxic effector T cells.

Thymic expression of insulin‐related genes in an animal model of autoimmune type 1 diabetes

Background Insulin and multiple other autoantigens have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune type 1 diabetes, but the origin of immunological self-reactivity specifically oriented against insulin-secreting islet β-cells remains obscure. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that a defect in thymic central T-cell self-tolerance of the insulin hormone family could contribute to the pathophysiology of type 1 diabetes. This hypothesis was investigated in a classic animal model of type 1 diabetes, the Bio-Breeding (BB) rat. Methods The expression of the mammalian insulin-related genes (Ins, Igf1 and Igf2) was analysed in the thymus of inbred Wistar Furth rats (WF), diabetes-resistant BB (BBDR) and diabetes-prone BB (BBDP) rats. Results RT-PCR analyses of total RNA from WF, BBDP and BBDR thymi revealed that Igf1 and Ins mRNAs are present in 15/15 thymi from 2-day-old, 5-day-old and 5-week-old WF, BBDR and BBDP rats. In contrast, a complete absence of Igf2 mRNA was observed in more than 80% of BBDP thymi. The absence of detectable Igf2 transcripts in the thymus of BBDP rats is tissue-specific, since Igf2 mRNAs were detected in all BBDP brains and livers examined. Using a specific immunoradiometric assay, the concentration of thymic IGF-2 protein was significantly lower in BBDP than in BBDR rats (p<0.01). Conclusions The present study suggests an association between the emergence of autoimmune diabetes and a defect in Igf2 expression in the thymus of BBDP rats. This tissue-specific defect in gene expression could contribute both to the lymphopenia of these rats (by impaired T-cell development) and the absence of central T-cell self-tolerance of the insulin hormone family (by defective negative selection of self-reactive T-cells). Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Thymic expression of insulin-related genes in an animal model of autoimmune type 1 diabetes.

Insulin and multiple other autoantigens have been implicated in the pathogenesis of autoimmune type 1 diabetes, but the origin of immunological self-reactivity specifically oriented against insulin-secreting islet beta-cells remains obscure. The primary objective of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that a defect in thymic central T-cell self-tolerance of the insulin hormone family could contribute to the pathophysiology of type 1 diabetes. This hypothesis was investigated in a classic animal model of type 1 diabetes, the Bio-Breeding (BB) rat. The expression of the mammalian insulin-related genes (Ins, Igf1 and Igf2) was analysed in the thymus of inbred Wistar Furth rats (WF), diabetes-resistant BB (BBDR) and diabetes-prone BB (BBDP) rats. RT-PCR analyses of total RNA from WF, BBDP and BBDR thymi revealed that Igf1 and Ins mRNAs are present in 15/15 thymi from 2-day-old, 5-day-old and 5-week-old WF, BBDR and BBDP rats. In contrast, a complete absence of Igf2 mRNA was observed in more than 80% of BBDP thymi. The absence of detectable Igf2 transcripts in the thymus of BBDP rats is tissue-specific, since Igf2 mRNAs were detected in all BBDP brains and livers examined. Using a specific immunoradiometric assay, the concentration of thymic IGF-2 protein was significantly lower in BBDP than in BBDR rats (p<0.01). The present study suggests an association between the emergence of autoimmune diabetes and a defect in Igf2 expression in the thymus of BBDP rats. This tissue-specific defect in gene expression could contribute both to the lymphopenia of these rats (by impaired T-cell development) and the absence of central T-cell self-tolerance of the insulin hormone family (by defective negative selection of self-reactive T-cells).

Anti-CD154 (CD40L) prevents recurrence of diabetes in islet isografts in the DR-BB rat.

Islet transplantation for the treatment of autoimmune diabetes is more difficult because of the additional barrier presented by the autoimmunity. We tested the ability of hamster anti-rat CD154 to prevent recurrence of diabetes in renal subcapsular islet isografts in DR-BB (RT1uu) rats with established autoimmune diabetes. Experimental animals with established diabetes received intravenous injections of 15 mg/kg anti-CD154 on a specified schedule starting 2 days before renal subcapsular transplantation of an islet isograft. Control animals received either saline or hamster IgG. Plasma glucose levels >250 mg/dl over 3 days were used to indicate the recurrence of diabetes. Rats that received saline (n = 5) or control antibody (n = 3) had a recurrence of diabetes 6-11 days after transplantation. Histological examination of islet isografts from these rats showed complete destruction of the insulin-producing portion of the isograft with residual cells positive for glucagon. Recipient rats that received anti-CD154 at the 15-mg/kg dosage (n = 6) did not have a recurrence of diabetes for 308-461 days after transplantation. Islet isografts removed from the rats showed low levels of insulin immunoreactivity, high levels of insulin mRNA, and focal infiltration with lymphocytes but no evidence of islet destruction. Mean peak antibody concentration was 266 microg/ml and returned to undetectable levels by 67-88 days after transplantation. Rats that received anti-CD154 starting at 4-7 days after transplantation had a recurrence of diabetes within 11 days of the isotransplantation. Therefore, anti-CD154 as the sole immunomodulator prevented the recurrence of diabetes in islet isografts in rats with established autoimmune diabetes. This suggests that CD40/CD154 blockade is effective in preventing the insulitis or the effector phase of autoimmune diabetes.

The prevention of kilham rat virus-induced autoimmune diabetes in DR-BB rats by aminoguanidine is due to the downregulation of both inflammatory cytokines and MHC class II molecules

The prevention of kilham rat virus-induced autoimmune diabetes in DR-BB rats by aminoguanidine is due to the downregulation of both inflammatory cytokines and MHC class II molecules

Anti-CD154 alone prevents autoimmune diabetes in the BBDR rat

Anti-CD154 alone prevents autoimmune diabetes in the BBDR rat

Recapitulation of Normal and Abnormal BioBreeding Rat T Cell Development in Adult Thymus Organ Culture

Congenitally lymphopenic diabetes-prone (DP) BioBreeding (BB) rats develop spontaneous T cell-dependent autoimmunity. Coisogenic diabetes-resistant (DR) BB rats are not lymphopenic and are free of spontaneous autoimmune disease, but become diabetic in response to depletion of RT6+ T cells. The basis for the predisposition to autoimmunity in BB rats is unknown. Abnormal T cell development in DP-BB rats can be detected intrathymically, and thymocytes from DR-BB rats adoptively transfer diabetes. The mechanisms underlying these T cell developmental abnormalities are not known. To study these processes, we established adult thymus organ cultures (ATOC). We report that cultured DR- and DP-BB rat thymi generate mature CD4 and CD8 single-positive cells with up-regulated TCRs. DR-BB rat cultures also generate T cells that express RT6. In contrast, DP-BB rat cultures generate fewer CD4+, CD8+, and RT6+ T cells. Analysis of the cells obtained from ATOC suggested that the failure of cultured DP-BB rat thymi to generate T cells with a mature phenotype is due in part to an increased rate of apoptosis. Consistent with this inference, we observed that addition of the general caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK substantially increases the number of both mature and immature T cells produced by DP-BB rat ATOC. We conclude that cultured DR-BB and DP-BB rat thymi, respectively, recapitulate the normal and abnormal T cell developmental kinetics and phenotypes observed in these animals in vivo. Such cultures should facilitate identification of the underlying pathological processes that lead to immune dysfunction and autoimmunity in BB rats.

CD40/CD40L (CD154) BLOCKADE ALONE IS SUFFICIENT TO PREVENT ISLET ALLOGRAFT REJECTION IN THE RAT.

882 The CD40-CD154 pathway plays a critical role in T cell activation. Blockade of the T cell co-stimulatory molecule CD154 alone is reported to be effective in producing long-term allograft survival in non-human primates while additional treatments are required to produce the same effect in the mouse. The recent availability of anti-rat CD154 mAb [(C.D. Benjamin et al, manuscript in preparation)] has allowed for testing in the rat model for comparison. The goal of this project was to characterize the immunosuppressive effects of anti-CD154 on the rate of rejection of islet allografts in the high responder rat strain combination, DA (RT1aa) to DR-BB (RT1uu). DR-BB rats were made diabetic by an injection of streptozotocin (65 mg/kg). Reversal of diabetes was accomplished by transplanting 1200 (islet equivalency) DA islets to the renal subcapsular site. Each treatment was given IV peri-transplant (days −1, 0, +1), with weekly maintenance dosing post-transplant through week 5 and then stopped. Blood glucose levels were monitored and a return to hyperglycemia (3 consecutive days of blood glucose levels > 250 mg/dl) was an indication of rejection. All control animals promptly rejected their DA islets by day 8 post-transplant. Eight of 9 anti-CD154 treated recipients have indefinite allograft survival and currently are 95 days post-transplant. Recipients bearing long-term allografts showed a significant decrease in T cell proliferation compared to naive rats in response to donor antigen in a MLR. We conclude from these data that anti-CD154 mAb is effective as a single agent in promoting long-term islet allograft survival in the rat.

A regulatory defect of constitutive no-synthase in islet endothelial cells correlates with probability of disease manifestation in BBdp rats.

Type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus is characterised by leucocyte infiltration of pancreatic islets and a progressive destruction of insulin-producing beta cells. As endothelial nitric oxide production is known to regulate adhesion molecule expression and leucocyte permeation, we examined the activity and expression of the constitutive nitric oxide synthase (ecNOS) of islet endothelial cells from prediabetic BBdp rats. Cultures of aortic endothelial cells and islet capillary endothelial cells were established from young normoglycaemic BBdp rats, Wistar rats and diabetes-resistant BBdr rats, all matched for age. Nitrite and citrulline production was measured in all culture supernatants as indicators for ecNOS activities. Expression of ecNOS mRNA was assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. In contrast to those of the aorta, the Wistar rat islet derived endothelial cells exhibited a strong positive correlation of ecNOS activity with the culture medium glucose concentration but none of the BB rat-derived islet endothelial cells showed a similar glucose-responsiveness. Furthermore, at physiological as well as at increased glucose concentrations islet endothelia from all BBdp rats exhibited a considerable decrease in ecNOS activity by a factor of 3 to 6, indicating a specific dysfunction which is also found for the inducible nitric oxide synthase activity after cytokine challenge but effects were less (2.5 to 3 times) dramatic. In contrast, aorta endothelia from all rats exhibited identical ecNOS activities and no glucose responsiveness. We also found a correlation between ecNOS activities and ecNOS-mRNA expression and can exclude the involvement of the inducible isoform. A reproducible and highly significant dysfunction of islet ecNOS expression and activity in young normoglycaemic BBdp rats, which strongly correlates with the probability for disease manifestation is shown.

Diabetes Prone BB Rats are Severely Deficient in Natural Killer T Cells

Diabetes prone (DP) BB rats develop spontaneous autoimmune hyperglycemia. Coisogenic diabetes resistant (DR) BB rats develop diabetes in response to immunological and environmental perturbants, but not spontaneously. Both are used to model human insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). Deficiencies in natural killer (NK) T cells have been implicated in the expression of human IDDM, but little is known of their phenotype or function in the rat. We now report that the phenotype of NK T cells in the rat is αβTcR +CD8+CD4-, comparable to the NK T cell phenotype reported for humans, which is αβTcR+CD4 Vα24-JαQ, and either CD8 or CD8αα+. We also report that DP- but not DR-BB rats are severely deficient in splenic and intrahepatic NKR-P1+ αβTcR+ (NK T) cells. Because RT6+ T cells are deficient in DP-BB rats, and because depletion of cells expressing RT6 induces IDDM in DR-BB rats, we studied NK T cells for expression of this antigen. We observed that the majority of rat NK T cells express RT6. In addition, injection of cytotoxic anti-RT6.1 monoclonal antibody depleted splenic and intrahepatic RT6+ NK T cells, T cells, and NK cells, but left intact the RT6- subset of each population. These results suggest that deficiencies in NK T cells may play a role in the susceptibility of DP- and DR-BB rats, respectively, to spontaneous and induced autoimmune IDDM.

Autoimmune Recurrence in the Pancreatic Allografts: Chimerism by the NKT Immunoregulatory Cells

156 Introduction: Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is the result of selective destruction of pancreatic β cells by autoreactive T lymphocytes. In animal models of diabetes (BB rats and NOD mice), isolated islet transplants are highly susceptible to autoimmune destruction. This process is also suspected to play a major role in the disappointing outcome of most human islet transplants. However, in contrast to isolated islets, whole pancreatic grafts demonstrate prolonged correction of hyperglycemia in autoimmune diabetic DP (diabetes prone)-BB rat recipients. In the present study, we have sought to examine the basis of the resistance of whole pancreatic grafts to autoimmune damage utilizing the DP-BB rat pancreas transplantation model. Methods: Whole pancreaticoduodenal grafts were recovered from diabetes resistant (DR)-BB (RT1u, RT6.1) or WF (RT1u, RT6.2) rat donors and transplanted into diabetic DP-BB recipients (RT1u). DP-BB rats have severe T lymphocytopenia with almost complete defect of RT6 alloantigen positive (RT6+) T cells (1.9%), whereas DR-BB or WF rats have normal composition of RT6+ immunoregulatory T cells (40.9% and 47.6%, respectively). Results: As expected diabetic DP-BB rat recipients of DR-BB or WF grafts remained normoglycemic indefinitely (MST >100 days, n=6 and >100 days, n=6, respectively). FACS analysis revealed that the normoglycemic DP-BB recipients of DR-BB or WF pancreatic grafts had restoration of RT6+ T cells, whereas these population were deficient in untransplanted DP-BB rats (27.2% and 3.1%, respectively vs. 1.8%). This suggested a role of donor RT6+ T cell chimerism in protection of pancreatic grafts from recurrent autoimmunity. Double staining of lymphoid cells from naive diabetic DP-BB and pancreas transplanted DP-BB rats utilizing monoclonal antibodies specific for αβ T-cell receptors and NKR-P1 natural killer (NK)-cell receptors revealed that pancreas transplanted DP-BB rats had a significant cell population which expressed both receptors (NKT cells) (7.8% and 9.3%, respectively, vs. 1.1%). To confirm the crucial role of donor chimeric cells in protection from autoimmune damage, a cohort of diabetic DP-BB rats received whole DR-BB or WF pancreatic grafts that were irradiated (1000 rad) prior to transplantation to deplete their passenger leukocytes. In these recipients, despite an initial restoration of normoglycemia, there was a consistent recurrence of IDDM at 15.2 days (n=6) and 17.6 days (n=7), respectively. Histological assessment of the pancreatic grafts revealed mononuclear infiltration of the islets (insulitis) with sparing of the exocrine tissues. Importantly, FACS analysis revealed that DP-BB recipients of irradiated grafts did not exhibit donor chimerism for RT6+ T or NKT cell populations. Conclusion: We have established a consistent model of recurrent autoimmunity in whole pancreaticoduodenal grafts in the BB model of autoimmune diabetes. A protective role of donor chimerism has been demonstrated, in particular NKT cells for the prevention of recurrent autoimmune attack on the β cells. Interestingly, NKT cells have been found to produce IL-4 and enhance the polarization of the immune response to Th2 pathway. These studies argue in favor of the augmentation of donor chimerism in islet or pancreas transplant recipients with highly selected population of immunoregulatory lymphocytes.

Characterization of High Density Lipoprotein-Bound and Soluble RT6 Released Following Administration of Anti-RT6.1 Monoclonal Antibody

RT6 is a rat lymphocyte glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI)-anchored alloantigen with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) glycohydrolase (NADase) and auto-ADP-ribosyltransferase activities. RT6 may have immunoregulatory properties based in part on the observation that injection of diabetes-resistant (DR)-BB rats with depleting doses of anti-RT6.1 mAb induced autoimmune diabetes and thyroiditis. We now report that injection of DR-BB rats with anti-RT6.1 mAb increased plasma NADase activity, which localized, by fluid phase liquid chromatography fractionation, to the high density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction. Following ultracentrifugation in high salt, however, RT6 was found in the nonlipoprotein fraction, where it existed, under nondenaturing conditions, as a 200-kDa complex and, by SDS-PAGE, as a 30- to 36-kDa species. Thy-1, another GPI-linked protein, and proteins that reacted with anti-GPI-oligosaccharide Abs also translocated from HDL to the nonlipoprotein fraction under similar conditions. Injection of anti-RT6.1 mAb into thymectomized DR and diabetes-prone-BB rats increased soluble RT6 to levels comparable to those observed in euthymic DR-BB rats, suggesting that HDL-bound RT6 is not derived from peripheral lymphocytes. In agreement, NADase activity in the plasma of eviscerated DR-BB rats did not increase following injection of anti-RT6 mAb. These data suggest that HDL is a carrier of plasma RT6 and other GPI-linked proteins, with equilibrium between the lipoprotein and nonlipoprotein fractions being salt dependent. Since GPI-linked proteins in HDL can transfer to cells in a functionally active form, the presence of RT6 in HDL is consistent with it having a role in signaling in nonlymphoid cells.