Lymphocyte population dynamics in experimental murine diabetes

Hyperglycemia was induced in BALB/c mice with alloxan monohydrate. The spleen and lymph nodes of control vs. diabetic groups were analyzed for total cell content and the distribution of lymphocyte subpopulations when immunized 1) with DNFB, a contact allergen or 2) horse apoferritin, a protein antigen or 3) non-immunized at quiescence. The total cell contents of spleen and lymph nodes from diabetic groups, when stimulated with either antigen or at quiescence, were less than respective control groups. The distributions of B lymphocytes, T lymphocytes and suppressor T lymphocytes in the spleen and lymph nodes of diabetic mice at quiescence or during either immune response did not differ from controls. Diabetic mice produced more horse apoferritin-specific antibody in vivo than controls and lymphocytes from DNFB sensitized diabetic mice proliferated in vitro in response to DNBSO3. However, the proportion of proliferative lymphocytes in situ in diabetic DNFB-challenged mice was decreased in comparison to DNFB-challenged controls. From these data we conclude that hyperglycemia in alloxan diabetic mice non-specifically impedes, but does not completely inhibit, the proliferation and growth of lymphocyte populations.