Serum IFN‐γ and IL‐10 levels are associated with disease progression in non‐obese diabetic mice

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Abstract
Background: The goal of the present study was to determine whether cytokines in the peripheral blood of naive NOD mice correlate with the disease process and thereby would provide a marker for monitoring disease activity.Methods: Female NOD mice (5, 10 and 14–16 weeks of age) were investigated in a cross‐sectional study. In the group of 14–16‐week‐old mice, non‐diabetic and diabetic mice were analysed as different subgroups. The Th1 cytokine (IFN‐γ) and the Th2 cytokine (IL‐10) were quantified in serum by sandwich enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Pancreatic mRNA for IFN‐γ and IL‐10 was determined by reverse transcriptase‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) from the same animals.Results: Serum levels of IFN‐γ were initially low but increased with age in NOD mice, reaching the highest levels at diabetes onset (pp<0.005).Conclusion: These results demonstrate, for the first time, that an increased Th2 pattern in the non‐diabetic stage preceding a Th1 shift is associated with the development of diabetes in naive NOD mice. Serum cytokines correlate with disease progression and pancreatic cytokine expression during prediabetes. Soluble cytokines measured in the periphery are therefore promising surrogate markers of diabetes development. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Funding Information
  • Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
  • Bundesminister für Gesundheit
  • Minister für Wissenschaft und Forschung des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen

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