[Cellular immune dysfunction in the NOD mouse: suppression of concanavalin A-induced responses in spleen cells by...

It is generally accepted that T lymphocyte-mediated autoimmunity contributes to the pathogenesis of Type 1 diabetes in humans and animals. Using spleen cells from nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, a model of human Type 1 diabetes, we have analyzed the subset of T lymphocytes by flow cytometry and investigated concanavalin A (Con A)-induced interleukin 2 (IL-2) production and cell proliferation. NOD mice showed a higher percentage of Thy1.2+, L3T4+, and Lyt2+ T lymphocytes than did control ICR mice through the whole age examined. Spleen cells from a large majority of NOD mice were found to generate very low IL-2 production and cell proliferation in response to Con A. However, a few mice preserved their responsiveness to Con A. The following reasons may indicate that macrophage-mediated suppression participates in the deficient function of NOD spleen cells. (a) Macrophage depletion from NOD spleen cells retrieved Con A-induced IL-2 production. (b) Thioglycollate-induced peritoneal exudate cells containing many activated macrophages could completely suppress cell proliferation. (c) Prostaglandin synthetase inhibitor indomethacin reversed the suppression of IL-2 production by macrophages. (d) Conversely, exogenous prostaglandins could show the partial suppression of IL-2 production. These results suggest that activated macrophages suppress the response of NOD spleen cells to Con A mostly through prostaglandins. This impairment may contribute to the pathogenesis of Type 1 diabetes in NOD mice.