Flow cytometric study of T cell development in NOD mice reveals a deficiency in αβTCR CD4-CD8- thymocytes

Abstract

As a result of failed induction of T cell tolerance to pancreatic B cells, non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice develop spontaneous autoimmune insulin- dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). The thymic stroma, which plays a crucial role in thymic T cell maturation, undergoes extensive premature disorganization in NOD mice, so it is of interest to examine NOD T cell development. In this study, both major and minor developmental populations of thymocytes of NOD/Lt mice were studied and compared to those of BALB/c, C57BL/6 and CBA mice by multiparameter flow cytometry (FACS). These results are described in detail and reveal that most thymocyte subsets were normally represented, including αβTcR-CD4-CD8- (..