In:
Clinical and Developmental Immunology, Hindawi Limited, Vol. 10, No. 2-4 ( 2003), p. 153-160
Abstract:
Background : Viral infections are thought to play a role in the development of autoimmune diseases like type 1 diabetes. In this study we investigated the effect of Rat Cytomegalovirus (RCMV) infection on cellular immunity in a well-defined animal model for diabetes, the Biobreeding (BB) rat. Methods : Diabetes prone (DP)- and Diabetes resistant (DR)-BB rats were infected with 2 × 10 6 plaque forming units (pfu) RCMV. Diabetes development was monitored by frequent blood-glucose analysis. Effects of RCMV on CD4 + , CD8 + and Vβ-TCR + T-cell subsets were measured in vivo , and in vitro after restimulation with RCMV-infected fibroblasts. Proliferative capacity was determined by 3 H-Thymidine incorporation. Results : RCMV-infection resulted in a significant acceleration of diabetes onset in DP-BB rats ( p=0.003). Percentages CD4 + and CD8 + T-cells were not affected in vivo . In vitro , RCMV-restimulation resulted in a decreased CD4 + /CD8 + blastoid T-cell ratio compared to ConA ( p=0.00028). Furthermore, RCMV-restimulation resulted in a strong RCMV-specific proliferation, which comprises about 50% of the response triggered by ConA. Vβ-TCR percentages did not change upon RCMV-infection or RCMV-restimulation. Interpretation : RCMV-restimulation of splenic T-cells in vitro resulted in a strong RCMV-specific proliferation, probably also including autoreactive T-cells. In vivo , this polyclonal response might be involved in the observed accelerated diabetes development in DP-BB rats upon RCMV-infection.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1740-2522
,
1740-2530
DOI:
10.1080/10446670310001626490
Language:
English
Publisher:
Hindawi Limited
Publication Date:
2003
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2817541-4
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2119272-8
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