Tumor necrosis factor (TNF), lymphotoxin-alpha (LTA), and lymphotoxin-beta (LTb) have major effects on the development and function of lymph nodes, spleen, thymus and particularly on T-cell function in several autoimmune diseases. In this research application, transgenic mice expressing high levels of soluble TNFRp60 and LTbetaR will be used as single and double transgenic lines to probe the function of TNFalpha and LTbeta on the embryologic development of lymph nodes, spleen and thymus. In several autoimmune strains of mice [(NZB x NZW)F1 and NOD], TNF administration in adult life suppresses autoimmunity. Paradoxically, TNF administration to neonatal NOD mice increases the incidence and hastens the onset of diabetes, while anti-TNF in neonatal life completely prevents all manifestations of autoimmunity. Experiments in this research application will test whether neonatal TNF administration in NOD mice and in T-cell receptor transgenic mice induces a shift towards a Th1 cell response while anti-TNF induces a shift towards a Th2 T-cell response. TNFRp60 and TNFRp80 targeted recombination chromosomes will be bred onto the NOD background to determine whether the effect of TNF on autoimmunity in the NOD mouse is mediated via the p60 or the p80 receptor. Finally, expression of TNF under the control of the rat insulin promoter, beginning either in fetal life or at 8-10 weeks of age, will test whether the effects of TNF on autoimmunity in the NOD mouse are due to the local effects of TNF in the islets of Langerhans, or due to a systemic effect on T cell development and function.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01DK051705-03
Application #
2770596
Study Section
Immunological Sciences Study Section (IMS)
Program Officer
Akolkar, Beena
Project Start
1996-09-01
Project End
2001-08-31
Budget Start
1998-09-01
Budget End
1999-08-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1998
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
Stanford University
Department
Microbiology/Immun/Virology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771545
City
Stanford
State
CA
Country
United States
Zip Code
94305
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Lee, Li-Fen; Xu, Baohui; Michie, Sara A et al. (2005) The role of TNF-alpha in the pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes in the nonobese diabetic mouse: analysis of dendritic cell maturation. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 102:15995-6000
Wu, Ava J; Hua, Hong; Munson, Sibyl H et al. (2002) Tumor necrosis factor-alpha regulation of CD4+CD25+ T cell levels in NOD mice. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 99:12287-92
Ettinger, R; Munson, S H; Chao, C C et al. (2001) A critical role for lymphotoxin-beta receptor in the development of diabetes in nonobese diabetic mice. J Exp Med 193:1333-40
Ettinger, R; Mebius, R; Browning, J L et al. (1998) Effects of tumor necrosis factor and lymphotoxin on peripheral lymphoid tissue development. Int Immunol 10:727-41