Exclusive expression of MHC class II proteins on CD45+ cells in pancreatic islets of NOD mice.
The expression of MHC class II molecules on beta-cells of the pancreatic islet has been proposed to play a role in the genesis of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in the NOD mouse. We investigated this by immunofluorescent double labeling of islet cells with anti-MHC and anti-CD45 to identify cells of hematopoietic origin. MHC class I expression increased with age on CD45- islet cells. MHC class II expression was not observed on CD45- islet cells at any age; the only cells in the islet that were MHC class II positive were also CD45+. This indicates that all MHC class II-positive cells in the islet are lymphoid cells that infiltrate the islet, whereas the islet endocrine cells express no MHC class II molecules. However, an increase in MHC class I expression occurred on beta-cells, and this may play a role in immunopathogenesis.
McInerney
M F
MF
Section of Immunobiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510.
Rath
S
S
Janeway
C A
CA
D000818:Animals; D000943:Antigens, Differentiation / Q000032:analysis*; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II / Q000032:analysis*; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000276:immunology*; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000032:analysis; D051379:Mice; D008817:Mice, Mutant Strains; D013861:Thiocyanates
D000943:Antigens, Differentiation; D005452:Fluoresceins; D005456:Fluorescent Dyes; D006649:Histocompatibility Antigens; D000949:Histocompatibility Antigens Class II; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D013861:Thiocyanates; D017493:Leukocyte Common Antigens; D016650:Fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate