Spleen cells derived from male non-obese diabetic mice are capable of suppressing the autoantigen-specific production of interferon-γ of female cells in vitro

Non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice spontaneously develop type 1 diabetes with a strong female predilection. Using co-culture systems with both female and male spleen cells, we found that spleen cells derived from male NOD mice suppress autoantigen (glutamic acid decarboxylase) induced production of interferon-gamma of female cells in vitro. In addition, this suppression appeared to be mediated by a soluble factor(s) produced by male cells in response to the same antigen. Our experimental systems might be useful for further understanding sex differences in autoimmunity as well as in the basic immune response.