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Updated: Aug 10, 2026

Methods to Assess Beta Cell Death Mediated by Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes
Published on: June 16, 2011
A low voltage-activated Ca2+ current mediates cytokine-induced pancreatic beta-cell death
L Wang1, A Bhattacharjee, Z Zuo
1Department of Pharmacology, University of South Alabama College of Medicine, Mobile 36688, USA.
Abstract:
Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus is characterized by the selective destruction of pancreatic beta-cells. Chronic treatment with cytokines induced a low voltage-activated (LVA) Ca2+ current in mouse beta-cells. The concomitant increase in the basal cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) was associated with DNA fragmentation and cell death. Antagonists of LVA Ca2+ channels prevented this elevation of basal [Ca2+]i and DNA fragmentation and reduced the percentage of cell death. Exposure to cytokines did not affect the profile of Ca2+ currents or basal [Ca2+]i in glucagon-secreting alpha-cells. An increased Ca2+ signal through LVA Ca2+ channels may thus be a key feature in cytokine-induced beta-cell destruction.
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