INDUCTION OF ISLET-CELL SURFACE AND INSULIN-ANTIBODIES IN BALB C MICEBY APPLICATION OF PORCINE INSULIN AND FREUND ADJUVANT IS NOT ASSOCIATED WITH INSULITIS/

To investigate whether insulin antibody (IAB) formation is associated with the appearance of islet cell cytoplasmic antibodies (ICA), islet cell surface antibodies (ICSA) and insulitis Balb /c Bln mice were imm unized with porcine insulin in combination with or without Freund's ad juvant. The animals received 8 i.p. injections and were followed up to 150 days for the development of antibodies and insulitis. Mice immuni zed with insulin in CFA developed IAB as well as ICSA. Mice only recei ving Freund's adjuvant emulsified in saline also developed ICSA. ICA w ere not detectable. Inflammatory infiltrates were found in the exocrin e pancreatic parenchyma but not in islets. The results show that nonsp ecific stimulation of the immune system and the application of insulin as antigen leads to both the formation of ICSA and IAB, while insulit is was not detectable.