1993 Volume 37 Issue 8 Pages 653-659
We analyzed the usage of T cell receptor (TCR) Vβ genes of spleen cells of NOD mice in comparison with those of its non-diabetic sister strain ILI mice which show no insulitis and (ILI×NOD)F1 mice. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method revealed that PCR Vβ repertoires of these mice are indistinguishable. This is consistent with our previous observation that ILI mice share the same H-2 class II genes with NOD mice. PCR method also revealed that the Vβ transcript of infiltrating T cells into pancreas of NOD mice was not restricted but was rather diverse. The role of TCR repertoire in the development of insulitis was discussed.
