Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus induced in transgenic mice by ectopic expression of class II MHC and interferon-gamma

N Sarvetnick, D Liggitt, SL Pitts, SE Hansen, TA Stewart - Cell, 1988 - cell.com
N Sarvetnick, D Liggitt, SL Pitts, SE Hansen, TA Stewart
Cell, 1988cell.com
We have produced transgenic mouse strains harboring class II major histocompatibility
complex or interferon-gamma genes linked to the human insulin promoter. These
experiments were designed to investigate the consequences of the expression of
immunological effector molecules by nonimmunological cells. In both of these studies we
observed the disap pearance from the pancreas of the insulin-producing p cells coinciding
with the development of insulindependent diabetes mellitus. Transgenic mice expressing …
Summary
We have produced transgenic mouse strains harboring class II major histocompatibility complex or interferon-gamma genes linked to the human insulin promoter. These experiments were designed to investigate the consequences of the expression of immunological effector molecules by nonimmunological cells. In both of these studies we observed the disap pearance from the pancreas of the insulin-producing p cells coinciding with the development of insulindependent diabetes mellitus. Transgenic mice expressing both chains of the IA gene showed progressive atrophy of the islets of Langerhans, whereas mice expressing interferon-gamma suffered an inflammatory destruction of the islets.
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