Reovirus infection enhances expression of class I MHC proteins on human beta-cell and rat RINm5F cell.

Abstract

Viruses are implicated in the pathogenesis of beta-cell destruction in type I (insulin-dependent) diabetes. The aim of our study was to investigate whether reovirus 1 or reovirus 3, which are known to infect beta-cells and induce autoimmunity in susceptible mice, could alter the expression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins by human beta-cells and rat insulinoma RINm5F cells. Forty-eight hours after infection of either human beta-cells or RINm5F cells with reovirus 1 or reovirus 3, cytopathic effects were noted. By flow-cytofluorometric analysis, infected RINm5F cells exhibited a seven- to eightfold increase in the surface expression of class I MHC proteins. Upregulation ..