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Thymosin and the spontaneously diabetic BB rat
W E Winter1, V Robbins, M Elder
1Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610.
Autoimmunity
|January 1, 1988
Summary
This study investigated thymus gland function in BB rats, finding thymosin alpha 1 levels were normal. Thymosin fraction 5 partially improved B-lymphocyte responses but did not resolve T-cell immunodeficiency or diabetes.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Rat models
Background:
- The BB rat is a model for autoimmune diseases like insulin-dependent diabetes, but the underlying immune defect remains unclear.
- Thymus gland function, specifically thymus gland products (thymosins), has not been previously studied in this model despite normal thymic histology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate thymus gland function in BB rats by measuring thymosin alpha 1 levels.
- To assess the effects of exogenous thymosin (Thymosin fraction 5) on immune parameters in BB rats.
Main Methods:
- Measurement of thymosin alpha 1 levels in BB rats compared to control rats.
- Administration of Thymosin fraction 5 to BB rats and observation of their immune responses.
- Analysis of T-cell subsets, autoantibodies, insulin-dependent diabetes, and B-lymphocyte blastogenesis.
Main Results:
- BB rats exhibited normal thymosin alpha 1 levels at five months of age.
- Thymosin fraction 5 modulated T-cell ratios but did not correct T-cell immunodeficiency, autoantibody frequencies, or diabetes.
- While B-lymphocyte counts were normal, their mitogenic responses were depressed; Thymosin fraction 5 partially restored B-lymphocyte blastogenesis.
Conclusions:
- The thymus gland appears to function normally in BB rats, as indicated by normal thymosin alpha 1 levels.
- The immune derangement in BB rats likely originates outside the thymus gland.
- Thymosin fraction 5 shows potential in partially restoring B-lymphocyte function but does not address the core immunodeficiency or autoimmune pathology.