Increased incidence of Ia antigen-bearing T lymphocytes in the spontaneously diabetic BB rat
Francfort, J.W.; Barker, C.F.; Kimura, H.; Silvers, W.K.; Frohman, M.; Naji, A.
Journal of Immunology 134(3): 1577-1582
1985
ISSN/ISBN: 0022-1767 PMID: 3881525 Document Number: 261325
The frequency of Ia-positive T lymphocytes in spontaneously diabetic BB rats was assessed by using monoclonal antibodies and a fluorescence-activated cell sorter. These cells peaked in frequency during the early stages of hyperglycemia, with a gradual decline toward normal as the disease progressed. Significantly increased numbers of Ia-positive T cells were detected in both helper (W3/25+) and cytotoxic-suppressor (OX8+) subsets. The elevated levels of Ia-positive T lymphocytes in these rats may be relevant to the immune destruction of their beta cells.