[HTML][HTML] Deletion of 12/15-Lipoxygenase Alters Macrophage and Islet Function in NOD-Alox15null Mice, Leading to Protection against Type 1 Diabetes Development

SM Green-Mitchell, SA Tersey, BK Cole, K Ma… - PloS one, 2013 - journals.plos.org
SM Green-Mitchell, SA Tersey, BK Cole, K Ma, NS Kuhn, TD Cunningham, NA Maybee…
PloS one, 2013journals.plos.org
Aims Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is characterized by autoimmune depletion of insulin-producing
pancreatic beta cells. We showed previously that deletion of the 12/15-lipoxygenase
enzyme (12/15-LO, Alox15 gene) in NOD mice leads to nearly 100 percent protection from
T1D. In this study, we test the hypothesis that cytokines involved in the IL-12/12/15-LO axis
affect both macrophage and islet function, which contributes to the development of T1D.
Methods 12/15-LO expression was clarified in immune cells by qRT-PCR, and timing of …
Aims
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is characterized by autoimmune depletion of insulin-producing pancreatic beta cells. We showed previously that deletion of the 12/15-lipoxygenase enzyme (12/15-LO, Alox15 gene) in NOD mice leads to nearly 100 percent protection from T1D. In this study, we test the hypothesis that cytokines involved in the IL-12/12/15-LO axis affect both macrophage and islet function, which contributes to the development of T1D.
Methods
12/15-LO expression was clarified in immune cells by qRT-PCR, and timing of expression was tested in islets using qRT-PCR and Western blotting. Expression of key proinflammatory cytokines and pancreatic transcription factors was studied in NOD and NOD-Alox15null macrophages and islets using qRT-PCR. The two mouse strains were also assessed for the ability of splenocytes to transfer diabetes in an adoptive transfer model, and beta cell mass.
Results
12/15-LO is expressed in macrophages, but not B and T cells of NOD mice. In macrophages, 12/15-LO deletion leads to decreased proinflammatory cytokine mRNA and protein levels. Furthermore, splenocytes from NOD-Alox15null mice are unable to transfer diabetes in an adoptive transfer model. In islets, expression of 12/15-LO in NOD mice peaks at a crucial time during insulitis development. The absence of 12/15-LO results in maintenance of islet health with respect to measurements of islet-specific transcription factors, markers of islet health, proinflammatory cytokines, and beta cell mass.
Conclusions
These results suggest that 12/15-LO affects islet and macrophage function, causing inflammation, and leading to autoimmunity and reduced beta cell mass.
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