Evaluation of the cytotoxic profile of CD4 + T cells in the spontaneous autoimmune diabetes model in NOD (non obese diabetic) mice

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is an autoimmune disease characterized by the destruction of the pancreatic beta cells by the action of autoreactive T cells. Using Non Obese Diabetic (NOD) mice, expression of cytotoxicity-related molecules on CD4 + helper T cells in the pancreas and peripancreatic lymph node of diabetic animals was observed. However, unlike what has been seen in the EAE model, the expression of one of the major cytotoxic molecules is similar in both organs, while two others express much more in the target organ of diabetes than in the draining lymph node.