Dissecting the role of CD4(+) T cells in autoimmune diabetes through the use of TCR transgenic mice

Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is an immunological disorder whe rein autoimmune-mediated destruction of islet cells in the pancreas results in persistent hyperglycemia. The non-obese diabetic mouse model of IDDM ha s revealed the importance of multiple factors that impact upon the disease process; however, understanding of primary immune mechanisms leading to IDD M remains elusive. The emergence of transgenic mouse models for IDDM has ma de important contributions towards clarifying many of these factors, includ ing the cell types, the various effector molecules and the genetic elements involved in the pathogenesis of IDDM. In this review, we will focus on the primary mechanism and mediators of islet beta-cell death, the impact of T- helper lymphocytes on disease progression and the potential role of major h istocompatibility complex class II molecules in conferring susceptibility t o IDDM.