A Comparative Study on T Cell Receptor V[beta] Gene Usages: Spleen Cells from the Non-Obese Diabetic (NOD) Mouse and Its Non-Diabetic Sister Strain, the ILI Mouse, and Infiltrating T Cells into Pancreata of NOD Mice

We analyzed the usage of T cell receptor (TCR) V[beta] genes of spleen cells of NOD mice in comparison with those of its non-diabetic sister strain ILI mice which show no insulitis and (ILI NOD)F sub(1) mice. The quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method revealed that PCR V[beta] repertoires of these mice are indistinguishable. This is consistent with our previous observation that ILI mice share the same H-2 class II genes with NOD mice. PCR method also revealed that the V[beta] transcript of infiltrating T cells into pancreas of NOD mice was not restricted but was rather diverse. The role of TCR repertoire in the development of insulitis was discussed.