The role of interferon alpha in initiation of type I diabetes in the NOD mouse

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in both humans and the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse, in which the insulin-producing-cells of the pancreatic islets are destroyed by a beta islet cell-specific T cell immune response. We recently reported that interferon (IFN)-α is an early trigger of the T1D process in NOD mice. Here, we show that extensive blockade of IFN-α action by a monoclonal antibody specific to IFN-α receptor 1 results in nearly complete prevention of T1D in NOD mice. Whether professional IFN-α producing cells, plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs), are responsible for the initiation of T1D has been unclear. Here we demonstrate that depletion of pDCs in NOD mice by a specific mAb given at 15–25 days of age significantly delays the onset and decreases the incidence of T1D. These findings indicate that pDC and pDC-derived IFN-α are the prime initiators of the pathogenesis of T1D in NOD mice.

► Interferon@ receptor blockade in 15-30 day old NOD mice prevents T1D.
► The interferon@ is produced by activated islet plasmacytoid dendritic cells.
► This activation is triggered by physiologic beta cell death at neonatal days 15-25.