ESPE Abstracts

Introduction: To investigate the protective effects of combined intervention with adenovirus vector mediated interleukin 10 (IL10) and IGF1 genes on islet β cells in nonobese diabetes (NOD) mice with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) at early stage.

Methods: Twenty-four female NOD mice at onset of diabetes and aged 17–20 weeks old were randomly divided into four groups. Mouse 1, 2, and 3 groups were i.p. injected 0.1 ml of Ad-mIGF1, Ad-mIL10, and combined Ad-mIGF1 and Ad-mIL10 respectively. Mouse four group were used as diabetes control. In addition, six age- and sex-matched non-diabetic NOD mice were i.p. injected 0.1 ml of PBS and assigned five group as normal controls. All mice were weekly monitored for body weight, urine glucose and blood glycose, and sacrificed 3 weeks after injection. Their serum levels of IL10, IGF1, IFNγ, IL4 and C-peptide were measured and the degree of insulitis and the local expression of IGF1 and IL10 gene were observed.

Results: i) IL10 and IGF1 levels in serum and pancreas were enhanced in 1, 2, and 3 groups; ii) serum INF-γ level was decreased while serum IL10 and IL4 levels were increased in 1, 2, and 3 groups, and these alterations were more significant in three group than 1 and 2 groups (P<0.01); iii) C-peptide level was not enhanced in 1 group, but significantly increased in 2 and 3 groups, and these increases were more significant in the latter (P<0.01); and iv) three weeks later, the body mass of mice in two and three groups decreased significantly (P<0.05).

Conclusion: The administration of adenovirus vector mediated IL10 and/or IGF1 gene showed limited immune regulatory and protective effects on islet β-cells in NOD mice with T1D at early stage, and no significant reduction in insulitis, blood glucose, and body weight.