Development and function of diabetogenic T-cells in B-cell-deficient nonobese diabetic mice

Insulin-dependent diabetes (type 1 diabetes) in the NOD mouse is a T-cell-mediated autoimmnne disease. However, B-cells may also play a critical role in disease pathogenesis, as genetically B-cell-deficient NOD mice (NOD.mu MT) have been shown to be protected from type 1 diabetes and to display reduced responses to certain islet autoantigens. To examine the requirements for B-cells in the development of type 1 diabetes, me generated a B-cell-naive T-cell, repertoire by transplantation of NOD fetal thymuses (FTs) into NOD.scid recipients. Surprisingly, these FT-derived NOD T-cells were diabetogenic in 36% of NOD,scid recipients, despite the absence of B-cells, In addition, T-cells isolated from NOD.mu MT mice were diabetogenic in 22% of NOD,scid recipients. Together, these results indicate that B-cells are not an absolute requirement for the generation or effector function of an islet-reactive T-cell repertoire in NOD mice, We suggest that conditions favoring rapid lymphocyte expansion can reveal autoreactive T-cell activity and precipitate disease in genetically susceptible individuals.