Mathematisch-Naturwissenschaftliche Fakultät

Institut für Biowissenschaften

Fachgebiet: Medizinische Biochemie und Molekularbiologie

Betreuer: Prof. Dr. Markus Tiedge



Dipl. Biologe Thomas Schöppe
(e-mail: thomas.schoeppe@med.uni-rostock.de )

Bioinformatic analysis of immunomodulatory processes in LEW.1AR1-iddm rats- an animal model for autoimmune diabetes.

Summary: The LEW.1AR1-iddm rat animal model develops a spontaneous autoimmune diabetes (T1DM) with progressive beta cell destruction. It was the aim of this study to investigate (1) the predictive potential of gene expression profiling in peripheral mononuclear cells of the blood (PBMC) and (2) tolerance-inducing effects through treatment by the modulating antibody RIB5/2 in the prediabetic period. The data indicate that PBMC`s gene expression of inflammatory cytokines/chemokines are significantly increased at the early stage of islet infiltration. Gene expression data were analyzed by bioinformatic algorithm to generate a decision-tree to predict islet infiltration. Thus, gene expression profiles of chemokines/cytokines in PBMCs may serve as surrogate markers for different stages of islet inflammation in T1DM. Diabetes preventing antibody RIB5/2 treatment could induce tolerance against beta cell autoimmunity with specific gene signatures in PBMCs.