Differential regulation of Th1-type and Th2-type cytokine profiles in pancreatic islets of C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice by multiple low doses of streptozotocin.
In the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse, the T helper (Th)1-type inflammatory cytokines interferon (IFN)-gamma and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha play a critical role in the development of type 1 diabetes, whereas the Th2-type anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10 operate counterregulatory. There are no comprehensive analyses on cytokine profiles in the mouse model of diabetes induced with multiple low doses of streptozotocin (MLD-STZ). Therefore, we used islets to study ex vivo effects of MLD-STZ and in vitro effects of STZ on IFN-gamma, TNF-alpha, IL-4, and IL-10 on both levels of protein-producing cells and the mRNA expression, as well as the mRNA expression of the Th3-type cytokine transforming growth factor TGF-beta1. C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice of both genders were injected intraperitoneally with 40 mg/kg body wt STZ on five consecutive days and islets were isolated on day I and 3 after the fifth STZ-injection. Control mice received the solvent of STZ. In islets of C57BL/6 mice of both genders MLD-STZ similarly stimulated production of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, but significantly reduced IL-4 and IL-10 levels in male mice only. Opposite results were obtained in islets of BALB/c mice of both genders. Here, MLD-STZ markedly decreased the levels of IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha, but significantly increased the levels of IL-4 and IL-10. The functional results were in line with MLD-STZ effects on the mRNA expression of the cytokines. Moreover, MLD-STZ effects on the TGF-beta1 mRNA expression were reversed to the effects on IFN-gamma and TNF-alpha. The in vitro effects of STZ in islets, in general, were similar to those exerted by MLD-STZ. Apparently, reduction and upregulation of Th2-type cytokines was more associated with susceptibility and resistance, respectively, to MLD-STZ-induced diabetes than upregulation of Th1-type cytokine levels.
Müller
Andreas
A
German Diabetes Center, German Diabetes Research Institute, Heinrich-Heine-University of Düsseldorf.
Schott-Ohly
Patricia
P
Dohle
Claudia
C
Gleichmann
Helga
H
D000818:Animals; D016207:Cytokines / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D003921:Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007371:Interferon-gamma / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D016753:Interleukin-10 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D015847:Interleukin-4 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D007515:Islets of Langerhans / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008810:Mice, Inbred C57BL; D012737:Sex Factors; D013045:Species Specificity; D013311:Streptozocin; D018417:Th1 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D018418:Th2 Cells / Q000276:immunology / Q000378:metabolism; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics
D016207:Cytokines; C508961:Tgfb1 protein, mouse; D016212:Transforming Growth Factor beta; D053773:Transforming Growth Factor beta1; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D016753:Interleukin-10; D015847:Interleukin-4; D013311:Streptozocin; D007371:Interferon-gamma