Determination of mRNA expression for IFN-gamma and IL-4 in lymphocytes from children with IDDM by RT-PCR technique

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is characterized by infiltration of T-lymphocytes in the islets of Langerhans. Antigens are presented to Th-lymphocytes which can be divided into Th1- and Th2-lymphocytes, producing interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukin-4 (IL-4) respectively. The aim of our study was to determine the messenger-RNA (mRNA) for these cytokines by RT-PCR in antigen-stimulated lymphocytes from children with newly diagnosed IDDM. The expression of mRNA for IL-4, and to a lesser degree IFN-gamma, is increased in lymphocytes stimulated with tetanus toxoid (TT). Loss of activity after freezing and thawing could be compensated for, by increased amplification, while the use of EDTA or sodium heparin in the blood samples did not influence the results. In a pilot application, the lymphocytes from children with newly diagnosed IDDM were stimulated with a peptide of glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) (a.a. 247-279) known to have a similar aminoacid sequence as the Coxsackie B virus (a.a. 32-47). Increased IFN-gamma mRNA could be seen in two out of four children, whereas IL-4 showed a less pronounced mRNA expression. No increased mRNA expression for IFN-gamma and IL-4 could be seen in healthy HLA-matched controls. Further studies are needed to confirm whether increased IFN-gamma mRNA in Th1-like lymphocytes stimulated with this specific GAD-peptide play a role in the cell-mediated immune response seen in children early after the onset of IDDM.