Islet cells modified with PD-L1-GPI molecule inhibit attack of reactive T cells

AIM: To investigate the immune depressive effect on the reactive T cells and to explore the immunologic injury mechanism of beta cells of islet in type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM-1). METHODS: pAd5/ PD-L1-GPI adenovirus vector with target gene was constructed and transfected into NIT cells which are known as a mouse insuloma cell line. The highly expressed membrane protein of PD-L1-GPI was confirmed by Western blotting. The peripheral blood non-adherence lymph leukocytes and target cells were cultured to detect lymph leukocyte proliferation and the T cell function. The level of IL-2, TNF-α and IFN-γ were detected in the cell culture fluid. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the NIT cells modified with PD-L1-GPI inhibited the sensitized lymph leukocyte proliferation effectively and down-regulated the level of some cytokine secretions such as IL-2, IFN-γ and TNF-α (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The islet cells expressed the PD-L1 gene inhibit the reactive responsive T cells, block up the cytotoxic effect of autoimmunity T cells, and induce the immunotolerance, which would be a value direction of the therapy of DM.