Driven to autoimmunity: the nod mouse.
In the lymphoid system, T cells respond to space or under-crowding by dividing to maintain their numbers. In this issue of Cell, evidence is provided that this homeostatic proliferation, coupled with excess production of a cytokine, IL-21, is a key factor in susceptibility to autoimmune diabetes.
Gallegos
Alena M
AM
Howard Hughes Medical Institute and the Department of Immunology, University of Washington, Box 357370, Seattle, WA 98195, USA.
Bevan
Michael J
MJ
D000818:Animals; D002455:Cell Division / Q000276:immunology; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000276:immunology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics*; D006706:Homeostasis / Q000276:immunology; D007378:Interleukins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008231:Lymphopenia / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology; D051379:Mice; D016688:Mice, Inbred NOD / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D013601:T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology*; D000098546:Interleukin-21
D007378:Interleukins; D000098546:Interleukin-21