title: The lymphocyte and macrophage profile in the pancreas and spleen of NOD mice: percentage of interleukin-2 and prolactin receptors on immunocompetent cell subsets.
abstract: The NOD mouse is a model for autoimmune diabetes that develops symptoms similar to Type I diabetes. The incidence of diabetes is greater in females but the degree of insulitis is comparable in both sexes. The purpose of this study was to assess the populations of lymphocytes and macrophages in the pancreas and spleen of NOD mice. Comparisons were made between male and female; young (32-40 days old) and old (197-297 days old); diabetic and non-diabetic mice. Using analytical fluorescent cell cytometry we quantitated the percentages of CD4, and CD8 T-cells, B-cells and macrophages and the percentages of these subsets expressing interleukin-2 (IL-2R), prolactin (PRLR) and Hi-intensity PRL (Hi-PRLR) receptors. Evaluation of T-splenocytes indicated a 2:1 ratio of CD4 to CD8 T-lymphocytes in the spleen. The pancreas had higher percentages of all of the subsets in the old male and female groups compared to their young counterparts. Pancreatic immunocompetent cell subsets expressed lower percentages of IL-2R, PRLR and Hi-PRLR compared to splenocytes. The results did not demonstrate any dramatic differences in the immunocompetent cell populations of the spleen or pancreas between male and female animals, however we were able to establish the percentage of immunocompetent cells with IL-2R, PRLR and Hi-PRLR as a reference for future studies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
authors.forename: T A
authors.initials: TA
authors.lastname: Hawkins
authors.forename: R R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: Gala
authors.forename: J C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Dunbar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis; D001835:Body Weight; D016516:CD4-CD8 Ratio; D005260:Female; D016131:Lymphocyte Subsets / Q000378:metabolism*; D008264:Macrophages / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD; D010179:Pancreas / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin / Q000032:analysis* / Q000276:immunology; D013154:Spleen / Q000166:cytology / Q000276:immunology* / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D001786:Blood Glucose; D015375:Receptors, Interleukin-2; D011981:Receptors, Prolactin