CD8(+) T cell-mediated spontaneous diabetes in neonatal mice

Transgenic mice that express the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) on pancreatic islet beta cells (ins-HA) demonstrate tolerance of HA even after immunization with influenza virus. Surprisingly, when Ins-HA mice were mated with a transgenic mouse expressing a TCR specific for an epitope of HA that is restricted by MHC class I H-2Kd (Clone-4 TCR), the resulting double transgenic (Ins-HA x Clone-4 TCR)F1 neonates developed spontaneous autoimmune diabetes immediately after birth and died within 10 days. This represents a unique situation in which all safeguards within the immune system that normally maintain tolerance of self-antigens in the neonate are insufficient.