The aim of this study was first to analyze strain differences in apoptosis resistance of NOD peripheral T lymphocytes in in vitro models of death by neglect and activation-induced cell death (AICD). Especially AICD is known to play a key role in peripheral tolerance, keeping autoimmune effector cells under control. Second, we studied the effects of in vivo treatment of NOD mice with 1alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-3 [1alpha,25(OH)(2)D-3], an immunomodulator known to prevent diabetes and insulitis in NOD mice, on in vitro T lymphocyte apoptosis resistance.