Recombinant interleukin 2 enhances spontaneous insulin-dependent diabetes in BB rats.

Treatment of BB rats with recombinant interleukin 2 (IL2) enhanced the development of spontaneous diabetes in these animals. A dose of 20 micrograms IL 2/kg body weight was administered twice daily for 80 days starting at 42 days of age. The rate of diabetes was doubled after IL 2 administration (53% vs. 23%) and the onset of diabetes was found to be accelerated by a mean of 18 days. Histological analysis showed enhanced inflammation of islets and in addition interstitial pancreatis. It is concluded that IL 2 has a regulatory effect on spontaneous organ-specific autoimmunity.