Infection with viruses from several families triggers autoimmune diabetes in LEW*1WR1 rats: prevention of diabetes by maternal immunization.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

The contribution of antecedent viral infection to the development of type 1 diabetes in humans is controversial. Using a newer rat model of the disease, we sought to 1) identify viruses capable of modulating diabetes penetrance, 2) identify conditions that increase or decrease the diabetogenicity of infection, and 3) determine whether maternal immunization would prevent diabetes.

Research design and methods

About 2% of LEW*1WR1 rats develop spontaneous autoimmune diabetes, but disease penetrance is much higher if weanling rats are exposed to environmental perturbants including Kilham rat virus (KRV). We compared KRV with other viruses for diabetogenic activity.

Results

Both KRV and rat cytomegalovirus (RCMV) induced diabetes in up to 60% of LEW*1WR1 rats, wh

SUBMITTER: Tirabassi RS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2797911 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature