Summary
Loss of GLUT 2, the glucose transporter isoform of pancreatic beta cells, has been reported to accompany the onset and perhaps contribute to the pathogenesis, of insulin-dependent and non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus in BB/Wor and Zucker fatty rats. In this study we investigated the effect of Kilham Rat Virus infection on GLUT 2 expression in diabetes-resistant BB/Wor rats. Viral antibodyfree diabetes-resistant rats do not develop spontaneous diabetes, but inoculation with Kilham Rat Virus induces autoimmune beta-cell destruction and hyperglycaemia. Pancreas sections from normoglycaemic diabetes-resistant BB/Wor rats were obtained 5, 7 and 25 days after inoculation with Kilham Rat Virus and stained for GLUT 2 using a rabbit polyclonal antibody. At all time points, beta cells displayed GLUT 2 expression comparable to uninfected diabetes-resistant controls. Immunostained insulin content of the beta cells also remained unchanged. Sections were also examined from Kilham Rat Virus inoculated diabetes-resistant rats with lymphocytic insulitis or diabetes. GLUT 2 and insulin immunostaining were unchanged in non-diabetic rats with early insulitis. GLUT 2 beta-cell staining was variably reduced in diabetic rats with established insulitis and reduced beta-cell insulin immunostaining. Hence, the initial stages of Kilham Rat Virus-induced diabetes in diabetes-resistant rats are not accompanied by a significant reduction in GLUT 2 expression. These results suggest that the loss of GLUT 2 does not play a significant role in the aetiology of diabetes in the Kilham Rat Virus-infected diabetes-resistant BB/Wor rat.
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Abbreviations
- KRV:
-
Kilham Rat Virus
- NHS:
-
normal horse serum
- BB/Wor:
-
Biobreeding/Worcester rats
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Stubbs, M., Guberski, D.L. & Like, A.A. Preservation of GLUT 2 expression in islet beta cells of Kilham Rat Virus (KRV) — infected diabetes-resistant BB/Wor rats. Diabetologia 37, 1186–1194 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00399791
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00399791