ALTERED IMMUNE REACTIVITY IN ENCEPHALOMYOCARDITIS-M VARIANT (EMC-M)-INDUCED DIABETES IN MICE

Approximately 50% of DBA/2j male mice infected with EMC-M develop glycosuria with suppressed immune responsiveness to the mitogens PHA, Con A and PWM. The greatest degree of suppression was noted with Con A treated cultures. In vivo treatment with Levamisole, a known T cell stimulant, especially increased the response to Con A but exacerbated the diabetogenic state as reflected by increased occurrence of glycosuria. Virus infected mice, given anti-lymphocyte serum (ALS), showed marked amelioration of the diabetic syndrome. Indomethacin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent as well as a prostaglandin-synthetase inhibitor, partially reversed the in vitro splenic cell suppression of infected animals. © 1979 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.