Reovirus Infection Enhances Expression of Class I MHC Proteins on Human β-Cell and Rat RINm5F cell

Viruses are implicated in the pathogenesis of β-cell destruction in type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes. The aim of our study was to investigate whether reovirus 1 or reovirus 3, which are known to infect β-cells and induce autoimmunity in susceptible mice, could alter the expression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins by human β-cells and rat insulinoma RINm5F cells. Forty-eight hours after infection of either human β-cells or RINm5F cells with reovirus 1 or reovirus 3, cytopathic effects were noted. By flow-cytofluorometric analysis, infected RINm5F cells exhibited a seven- to eightfold increase in the surface expression of class I MHC proteins. Upregulation of class I MHC proteins on reovirus 3-infected RINm5F cells was inhibited by 80% after preexposure of the virus to reovirus 3 antiserum. When analyzed by double-indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, human β-cells infected with reoviruses 1 or 3 also exhibited markedly increased levels of class I MHC proteins. Reovirus infection of human β-cells or RINm5F cells was not accompanied by the induction of class II MHC proteins. These findings suggest that 1) in addition to direct cytopathic effects, reovirus infection may contribute to β-cell destruction by increasing expression of class I MHC proteins and therefore reactivity with cytotoxic T-lymphocytes; and 2) some viruses may increase MHC protein expression independent of and before the action of cytokines (e.g., interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor) released by immunoinflammatory cells.