Gamma Interferon Induces Novel Expression of Ia Antigens by Rat Pancreatic Islet Endocrine Cells

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Abstract
Pancreatic endocrine cells normally express only Class I gene products of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Recently it has been shown that in both patients with recent onset type I diabetes and acutely diabetic BB rats, residual islet beta cells express Class II MHC antigens. In an attempt to define a potential inducer of this aberrant Class II antigen expression, we have investigated the effect of in vitro incubation of rat isolated pancreatic islets with the lymphokine gamma interferon (IFN-γ) on MHC antigen expression. Our results demonstrate that in vitro exposure to IFN-γ induces novel expression of Class II antigens on the surface of rat islet endocrine cells and increases the level of pre-existing Class I antigen expression.

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