Expression of class II MHC antigens in murine pancreas after streptozocin-induced insulitis

In this study, most class II antigen expression during streptozocin-induced insulitis was associated with the mononuclear cells infiltrating the pancreas. During the early stages of the insulitis response, phagocytic cells expressing class II antigens and containing beta-cell debris were often observed. Although there was de novo expression of class II antigens by ductular epithelium associated with the exocrine portion of the pancreas and transient expression by vascular endothelial cells, the endocrine cells of the islets remained devoid of class II antigens throughout the period of observation (42 days).