B-cells promote intra-islet CD8+ cytotoxic T-cell survival to enhance type 1 diabetes.

Objective: To determine the role of B-cells in promoting CD8(+) T-cell-mediated beta cell destruction in chronically inflamed islets. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-RIP: TNFalpha-NOD mice were crossed to B-cell-deficient NOD mice, and diabetes development was monitored. We used in vitro antigen presentation assays and in vivo administration of bromodeoxyuridine coupled to flow cytometry assays to assess intra-islet T-cell activation in the absence or presence of B-cells.