PEPTIDE-INDUCED T-CELL TOLERANCE TO PREVENT AUTOIMMUNE DIABETES IN A TRANSGENIC MOUSE MODEL

A synthetic peptide corresponding to an immunodominant epitope of lymp hocytic choriomeningitis virus glycoprotein (LCMV GP) was used to prim e or to tolerize CD8(+) T cells in vivo, dependent on mode of immuniza tion. Peptide-specific tolerance was then examined in transgenic mice expressing LCMV GP in the beta islet cells of the pancreas; these mice develop CD8(+) T-cell-mediated diabetes within 8-14 days after LCMV i nfection. Specific peptide-induced tolerance prevented autoimmune dest ruction of beta islet cells and diabetes in this transgenic mouse mode l.