Interleukin-1β-mediated beta-cell inhibition in vivo

摘要

Mimicking a paracrine pathway of action, a detailed characterization of the effects of rIL-1β on beta-cell function and morphology was performed on isolated islets in culture. Since IL-1β was beta-cyto-toxic in vitro we hypothesized that locally produced IL-1β mediated the initial beta-cell damage leading to IDDM in genetic susceptible individuals. IL-1β and IL-1 α are released to the blood stream and circulate like a hormone affecting distant organs during many stressful events. Thus, we hypothesized that circulating IL-1α and IL-1β may reach the pancreas and attain beta-cell cytotoxic levels in the islets of Langerhans and thereby be important factors in the pathogenesis of IDDM in genetically susceptible individuals. Consequently, the present review discussed 1) if the known functional and morphological effects of rIL-1β in isolated islets of Langerhans are reproduced in experimental situations of advancing complexity mimicking an endocrine pathway of rIL-1β action and 2) if circulating levels of cytokines in man have any application for beta-cell function and IDDM.