Flow cytometric study of T cell development in NOD mice reveals a deficiency in alpha beta TCR(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) thymocytes

As a result of failed induction of T cell tolerance to pancreatic B cells, non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice develop spontaneous autoimmune insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM). The thymic stroma, which plays a crucial role in thymic T cell maturation, undergoes extensive premature disorganization in NOD mice, so it is of interest to examine NOD T cell development. In this study, both major and minor developmental populations of thymocytes of NOD/Lt mice were studied and compared to those of BALB/c, C57BL/6 and CBA mice by multiparameter Bow cytometry (FACS). These results are described in detail and reveal that most thymocyte subsets were normally represented, including alpha beta TcR(-)CD4(-)CD8(-) (triple negative; TN), alpha beta TcR(-)CD4(-)CD8(-) and alpha beta TcR(-)CD4(-)CD8(-) (immature single positive; ISP), alpha beta TcR(-/low)CD4(+)CD8(+) (double positive; DP) and alpha beta TcR(+)CD4(+)CD8(-) and alpha beta TcR(+)CD4(+)CD8(+) (mature single positive; SP) as well as gamma delta T cells. Kowever, NOD mice exhibited a marked deficiency of thymic alpha beta TcR(+)CD4(-)CD8(-) (alpha beta(+)DN) T cells. alpha beta(+)DN T cells, which are included among NK1(+) T cells in C57BL/6 mice, produce large amounts of IL-4 on primary stimulation. Given the potential significance of NKT cells in immunoregulation, it is possible that the scarcity of these cells in NOD mice plays a role in the pathogenesis of IDDM. (C) 1997 Academic Press Limited.