Defective cell-mediated immune response in spontaneous diabetes mellitus in the guinea pig

The proliferative responses of splenic lymphocytes from spontaneously diabetic, recovered and normal guinea pigs were compared after in vitro stimulation with two different T cell mitogens--PHA and Con-A. The in vitro lymphocyte responses were significantly depressed in diabetic guinea pigs as compared to normal controls. On remission of hyperglycemia, the proliferative responses of lymphocytes returned to normal or to above normal levels. The implication of such a defect in cellular immunity in diabetes is discussed. The guinea pig model of spontaneous diabetes mellitus may be useful for studies on immune competence in juvenile diabetes.