L-Selectin Is Not Required for T Cell-Mediated Autoimmune Diabetes

Abstract

Administration of anti-L-selectin (CD62L) mAb to neonatal nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice mediates long term protection against the development of insulitis and overt diabetes. These results suggested that CD62L has a key role in the general function of β cell-specific T cells. To further examine the role of CD62L in the development of type 1 diabetes, NOD mice lacking CD62L were established. The onset and frequency of overt diabetes were equivalent among CD62L+/+, CD62L+/−, and CD62L−/− NOD littermates. Furthermore, patterns of T cell activation, migration, and β cell-specific reactivity were similar in NOD mice of all three genotypes. Adoptive transfer experiments with CD62L−/− CD4+ T cells prepared from BDC2.5 TCR transgenic mice revealed no apparent defects in migration to pancreatic lymph nodes, proliferation in response to β cell Ag, or induction of diabetes in NOD.scid recipients. In conclusion, CD62L expression is not essential for the development of type 1 diabetes in NOD mice.