Reduced streptozotocin-induced insulitis in CD-1 mice by treatment with anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and anti-lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 monoclonal antibodies together with lactic dehydrogenase virus infection.

Multiple low-dose streptozotocin (SZ)-induced insulitis is an animal model for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus characterized by a mononuclear cell infiltration. SZ-induced insulitis and blood glucose concentrations were reduced by treatment with anti-intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1) and anti-lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) monoclonal antibodies. This suppressing effect was also seen in mice infected with lactic dehydrogenase virus (LDV). These results suggest that the expression of ICAM-1 in islets and LFA-1 on mononuclear cells may be important in the development of SZ-induced insulitis. The suppressive effect of LDV infection on the development of insulitis is discussed.