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

Abstract

Viruses are implicated in the pathogenesis of β-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 β-cells and induce autoimmunity in susceptible mice, could alter the expression of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) proteins by human β-cells and rat insulinoma RINm5F cells. Forty-eight hours after infection of either human β-cells or RINm5F cells with reovirus 1 or reovirus 3, cytopathic effects were noted. By flowcytofluorometric analysis, infected RINm5F cells exhibited a seven- to eightfold increase in the surface expression of class I MHC proteins. Upregulation of class I MH..