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Functional IL-18 Is Produced by Primary Pancreatic Mouse Islets and NIT-1 Beta Cells and Participates in the Progression towards Destructive Insulitis

Background: Preclinical stages of type 1 diabetes are characterized by infiltrating T cells and by the peri- and intra-islet accumulation of pro-inflammatory mediators, such as IFNγ. Methods/Results: Using quantitative PCR we demonstrated that mRNA specific for the IFNγ-inducing cytokine IL-18 is upregulated in NIT-1 beta cells and intact mouse islets upon exposure to IL-1β, IFNγ and TNFα. The biological activity of IL-18 was blocked using caspase inhibitors and anti-IL-18 antibodies. Increased IL-18 expression was also detected in islets during advanced stages of insulitis and correlated with elevated transcripts for IFNγ and for the IL-18 receptor. Conclusion: Thus, beta cells produce bioactive IL-18 in the course of insulitis and actively contribute to the exacerbation of inflammation leading to their own demise.