α/β-T cell receptor (TCR) CD4-CD8- (NKT) thymocytes prevent insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in nonobese diabetic (NOD)/Lt mice by the influence of interleukin (IL)-4 and/or IL-10

Abstract

We have previously shown that nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice are selectively deficient in α/β-T cell receptor (TCR)+CD4-CD8- NKT cells, a defect that may contribute to their susceptibility to the spontaneous development of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). The role of NKT cells in protection from IDDM in NOD mice was studied by the infusion of thymocyte subsets into young female NOD mice. A single intravenous injection of 106 CD4(-/low)CD8- or CD4-CD8- thymocytes from female (BALB/c X NOD)F1 donors protected intact NOD mice from the spontaneous onset of clinical IDDM. Insulitis was still present in some recipient mice, although the cell infiltrates were principally periductal and per..