Loss of Rt6 Message and Most Circulating T Cells after Thymectomy of Diabetes Prone BB Rats

Probir Sarkar From the Diabetes Divisions, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA

Laura Crisá From the Diabetes Divisions, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA

Una McKeever From the Diabetes Divisions, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA

Rita Bortell From the Diabetes Divisions, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA

Eugene Handler From the Diabetes Divisions, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA

John P. Mordes From the Diabetes Divisions, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA

Debra Waite From the Diabetes Divisions, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA

Amy Schoenbaum From the Diabetes Divisions, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA

Friedrich Haag The Department of Immunology, University of Hamburg, D-2000, Hamburg, Germany

Friedrich Koch-Nolte Md The Department of Immunology, University of Hamburg, D-2000, Hamburg, Germany

Heinz-Gunther Thiele Md The Department of Immunology, University of Hamburg, D-2000, Hamburg, Germany

Dale L. Greiner From the Diabetes Divisions, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA

Aldo A. Rossini From the Diabetes Divisions, University of Massachusetts Medical Center, Worcester, MA

show all

Abstract

T cells expressing the RT6 surface alloantigcn perform important immunoregulatory functions in the rat. Diabetes prone (DP) BB rats arc deficient in circulating RT6⁺ T cells and develop spontaneous autoimmune diabetes mellitus. Transfusions leading to cngraftment of RT6 ′ T cells prevent the disease. Coisogcnic diabetes resistant (DR) BB rats do circulate RT6^ T cells and are free of disease. We investigated the basis for the deficiency of RT6 * T cells in the DP-BB rat and made the following observations. 1. Thymectomy causes the rapid loss of most peripheral T cells in the DP-BB rat. 2. Concomitant with the loss of T cells is the total loss of mRNA encoding RT6. 3. In contrast to the effects observed in peripheral lymphoid tissues, thymectomy does not lead to a detectable loss in RT6⁺ protein found in the small intestine. We conclude that the deficiency of RT6 ⁺ peripheral T cells in the DP-BB rat is due either to their short life span or to their reduced proliferative capacity following release from the thymus.

Key Words:

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

To request a reprint or corporate permissions for this article, please click on the relevant link below:

Order Reprints Request Corporate Permissions

Academic Permissions

Please note: Selecting permissions does not provide access to the full text of the article, please see our help page How do I view content?

Obtain permissions instantly via Rightslink by clicking on the button below:

Request Academic Permissions

If you are unable to obtain permissions via Rightslink, please complete and submit this Permissions form. For more information, please visit our Permissions help page.

Loss of Rt6 Message and Most Circulating T Cells after Thymectomy of Diabetes Prone BB Rats

Information for

Open access

Opportunities

Help and information

Loss of Rt6 Message and Most Circulating T Cells after Thymectomy of Diabetes Prone BB Rats

Abstract

Reprints and Corporate Permissions

Academic Permissions

Related research

To cite this article:

Download citation

Information for

Open access

Opportunities

Help and information

Keep up to date

Your download is now in progress and you may close this window

Login or register to access this feature