Affinity-purified human interleukin I is cytotoxic to isolated islets of Langerhans.
Addition of highly purified human Interleukin-1 to the culture medium of isolated rat islets of Langerhans for 6 days led to 88% inhibition of glucose-induced insulin-release, reduction of islet contents of insulin and glucagon to 31% and 8% respectively, and disintegration of the islets. These effects were dose-dependent and reproducible when using three different Interleukin-1 preparations. Highly purified human Interleukin-2, Lymphotoxin, Leucocyte Migration Inhibitory Factor and Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor were ineffective. These findings suggest that Interleukin-1 may play an important role in the molecular mechanisms underlying autoimmune B-cell destruction leading to Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.
D000818:Animals; D005934:Glucagon / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007328:Insulin / Q000378:metabolism; D007375:Interleukin-1 / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D011919:Rats, Inbred Strains
D007328:Insulin; D007375:Interleukin-1; D005934:Glucagon