Differential expression of CC chemokines and the CCR5 receptor in the pancreas is associated with progression to type I diabetes

We investigated the biological role of CC chemokines in the Th1-mediated pathogenesis of spontaneous type I diabetes in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. Whereas an elevated ratio of macrophage inflammatory protein-1 alpha (MIP-1 alpha):MIP-1 beta in the pancreas correlated with destructive insulitis and progression to diabetes in NOD mice, a decreased intrapancreatic MIP-1 alpha:MIP-1 beta ratio was observed in nonobese diabetes-resistant (NOR) mice. IL-4 treatment, which prevents diabetes in NOD mice by polarizing intraislet Th2 responses, decreased CCR5 expression in islets and potentiated a high ratio of MIP-1 beta and monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1): MIP-1 alpha in the pancreas. Furthermore, NOD.MIP-1 alpha(-/-) mice exhibited reduced destructive insulitis and were protected from diabetes. Neutralization of MIP-la with specific Abs following transfer of diabetogenic T cells delayed the onset of diabetes in NOD,Scid recipients. These studies illustrate that the temporal expression of certain CC chemokines, particularly MIP-1 alpha, and the CCR5 chemokine receptor in the pancreas is associated with the development of insulitis and spontaneous type I diabetes.