Strain dependency of the transfer of experimental immune insulitis in mice.

Multiple treatment with low doses of streptozotocin induces hyperglycaemia with concomitant lymphocytic infiltrations into pancreatic islets (insulitis) in several mouse strains. The transfer of cellular immune reactions against islet cells by means of spleen cells was tested in two congeneic and five allogeneic strain combinations. Donor mice were treated on 5 consecutive days with 40 mg streptozotocin per kg body weight. Three weeks later, 5 x 10(7) live spleen cells were transferred into thymusless recipient mice. Insulitis which had developed in about 70% of the donors was only transferable from C57B1/6J to congeneic thymusless mice. In a second congeneic and in all allogeneic strain combinations, cellular immune reactions against pancreatic islets could not be transferred. In none of the recipients of spleen cells from diabetic donors was hyperglycaemia observed. As streptozotocin-induced cellular immune reactions against pancreatic islet cells were only transferable in one congeneic and in no allogeneic strain combinations, it is concluded that there is a genetic restriction both on the levels of donor and recipient mice.