Abstract
The cytotoxic actions of cytokines and macrophages were studied using rat insulinoma cell line (RIN). The inhibition of growth of RIN cells by cytokines was evaluated using a dye-uptake method after 4 days incubation with IL-1, TNF, and interferon-γ. The cytotoxicity of macrophages against RIN or GH3 cells was also studied by a 51Cr-release assay using peritoneal cells from BB/W rats, which are an animal model of type 1 diabetes mellitus. IL-1 inhibited RIN cell growth, whereas TNF had little effect. Combinations of various cytokines acted synergistically to inhibit the growth of RIN cells. On the other hand, peritoneal cells, which were mainly macrophages from acutely diabetic BB/W rats, showed specific cytotoxicity against RIN cells. These results suggest that cytokines and macrophages have a role in the development of diabetes in BB/W rats.
