INTERCELLULAR-ADHESION MOLECULE-1 (ICAM-1) EXPRESSION IN THE ISLETS OF THE NONOBESE DIABETIC AND LOW-DOSE STREPTOZOCIN-TREATED MOUSE

The expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) was studi ed in 8-week-old non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice and low-dose streptozoc in-treated (LDS) mice. ICAM-1 expression in NOD mice was observed at t he islet periphery, corresponding to the peri-islet venular network, w ithin the islet and on scattered elements along septa of the exocrine portion of the pancreas. Image analysis demonstrated that LDS-treated animals had less ICAM-1 immunoreactivity within and around the islets compared to NOD mice. At the ultrastructural level the peri-islet vess els were found to be filled with mononuclear elements. Moreover, endot helial cells showed signs of activation, and margination of monocytes and polymorphonuclear leukocytes was observed.