The role of CD8 + T-cells in the development of diabetes in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse remains controversial. Although it is widely agreed that class II-restricted CD4 + T-cells are essential for the development of diabetes in the NOD model, some studies have suggested that CD8 + T-cells are not required for p-cell destruction. To assess the contribution of CD8 + T-cells to diabetes, we have developed a class of NOD mouse that lacks expression of p2-microglobulin (N0D-S2m nuW ).

more »

... " mice, which lack both class I expression and CD8 + T-cells in the periphery, not only failed to develop diabetes but were completely devoid of insulitis. These results demonstrate an essential role for CD8 + T-cells in the initiation of the autoimmune response to p-cells in the NOD mouse. Diabetes 43:500-504, 1994 T he NOD mouse is a spontaneous model of human autoimmune insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. The T-cell dependency of the disease in NOD mice has been demonstrated by showing that athymic nude NOD-nu/nu mice do not develop insulitis or diabetes and that diabetes can be readily transferred to young irradiated NOD mice with T-cells obtained from diabetic animals (1,2). The roles of autore-