Insulin secretion induced by allogeneic lymphocytes in genetically diabetic mice C57BL/KsJ mdb.

Insulin and somatostatin (SRIF) secretion induced by alloantigen were studied in genetically diabetic mice from the C57BL/KsJ mdb-mdb strain. Diabetic (db) mice injected with allogeneic lymphocytes (A.L.) did not show any increase in their second phase of 27.5 mM glucose stimulated secretion and slightly increased their first phase. Normal A.L. injected mice showed a significant increase in both phases of 27.5 mM glucose stimulated secretion. SRIF secretion of A.L. injected normal and diabetic mice did not significantly differ from that obtained when injected with syngeneic lymphocytes. Lymphocytes from db mice injected into allogeneic mice caused an insulin secretion similar to that produced by allogeneic lymphocytes from non-diabetic mice. Lymphocytes from db mice injected into normal syngeneic mice caused an insulin secretion which was not significantly different from the one caused by syngeneic lymphocytes from non-diabetic mice, and is smaller than the secretion caused by A.L. injection. In summary, db mice showed an impaired hormone response to alloantigenic stimulus, while their lymphocytes maintained their alloantigenic action.