Hemolytic anemia in non-obese diabetic mice

The non-obese diabetic mouse (NOD mouse) is widely used as a model of organ-specific autoimmunity because it develops specific autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells mediated by T cells and culminating in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Here, we report that the NOD mouse also develops Coombs'-positive hemolytic anemia, a B cell-mediated autoimmune disease. Aged NOD mice were found to have splenomegaly and jaundice predominantly due to raised unconjugated serum bilirubin. Their hematocrits were markedly lowered, and there was a reciprocal increase in the reticulocyte count. Red blood cells (RBC) from anemic mice showed a normal lytic response to hypotonicity. RBC from non-anemic mice had normal half lives in non-anemic, non-diabetic NOD mice by 51Cr labeling but, dramatically shortened half lives in anemic mice. Similar results were obtained with RBC from anemic mice. Hemolysis could be transferred with serum from anemic mice resulting in reticulocytosis. The antibody-mediated nature of the anemia was confirmed with the direct Coombs' test. Anemia was found only in mice aged greater than 200 days and was more common in diabetic (4/8) than non-diabetic (1/16) mice at 300 days. However, by 550 days, 14/17 non-diabetic mice were affected.