Affinity-purified human interleukin I is cytotoxic to isolated islets of Langerhans

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

Addition of highly purified human Interleukin-1 to the culture medium of isolated rat islets of Langerhans for 6 days led to 88% inhibition of glucose-induced insulin-release, reduction of islet contents of insulin and glucagon to 31% and 8% respectively, and disintegration of the islets. These effects were dose-dependent and reproducible when using three different Interleukin-1 preparations. Highly purified human Interleukin-2, Lymphotoxin, Leucocyte Migration Inhibitory Factor and Macrophage Migration Inhibitory Factor were ineffective. These findings suggest that Interleukin-1 may play an important role in the molecular mechanisms underlying autoimmune B-cell destruction leading to Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.
Original languageEnglish
JournalDiabetologia
Volume29
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)63-7
Number of pages5
ISSN0012-186X
Publication statusPublished - Jan 1986

    Research areas

  • Animals, Glucagon, Humans, Insulin, Interleukin-1, Islets of Langerhans, Male, Rats, Rats, Inbred Strains

ID: 47975100