Prevention of Autoimmune Diabetes with Lymphotoxin in NOD Mice

We have reported previously that chronic and systemic administration of a streptococcal preparation (OK-432), an inducer of TNF, or of recombinant hTNF prevented the development of IDDM in the two animal models of IDDM—NOD mice and BB rats. In this study, we examined the effect of LT, which is structurally and functionally related to TNF, on NOD mice with diabetes. The cumulative incidence of diabetes at 30 wk of age was 22 of 40 (55%) in nontreated female NOD mice and was 4 of 8 (50%; NS), 3 of 29 (10%; P < 0.001), and 0 of 8 (0%; P < 0.001) in female mice treated three times a week from 4 to 30 wk of age with 5, 50, or 500 U of recombinant hLT, respectively. Intensity of insulitis was slightly reduced in the long-term LT-treated mice. LT productivity by ConA-stimulated spleen cells was examined in vitro. Although no significant difference was found between NOD mice and the other mouse strains, female NOD mice were slightly but significantly (P < 0.01) lower producers of LT immunoreactivity than male NOD mice, the diabetes incidence of which is lower than that of females. The SMLR as a marker of normal immune response, which was reported to be impaired in autoimmune animals including NOD mice, was significantly lower in female than male NOD mice. However, the low SMLR in female NOD mice was significantly increased by the administration of LT, and the increase was mediated by the responder cells of the LT-treated mice. LT productivity by ConA-stimulated spleen cells was examined in vitro. Although no significant difference was found between NOD mice and the other mouse strains, female NOD mice were slightly but significantly (P < 0.01) lower producers of LT immunoreactivity than male NOD mice, the diabetes incidence of which is lower than that of females. The SMLR as a marker of normal immune response, which was reported to be impaired in autoimmune animals including NOD mice, was significantly lower in female than male NOD mice. However, the low SMLR in female NOD mice was significantly increased by the administration of LT, and the increase was mediated by the responder cells of the LT-treated mice. These results suggest that administration of LT prevented the development of IDDM in NOD mice by modulating autoimmunity.