The Leucocyte Migration Inhibition Test and Subpopulations of Peripheral Lymphocytes in Insulin-Dependent Diabetics

The leucocyte migration inhibition test (LMT) was performed by the agarose plate method with thyroid and pancreatic antigens in patients with insulin-dependent or independent diabetes mellitus. The mean migration indices with thyroglobulin, thyroid mitochondria and beef insulin were not significantly different in insulindependent diabetics from those in insulin-independent diabetics or normal controls. However, significant inhibition of leucocyte migration was observed in insulindependent diabetics when thyroid microsome or pancreatic extract was used as antigen. Although no significant difference was found in the percentages of T and B lymphocytes between insulin-dependent diabetics and insulin-independent diabetics or normal controls, the results of LMT strongly suggest the presence of cellular immunity against the thyroid and pancreas in insulin-dependent juvenile-onset diabetes.