Open AccessDouble transgenic mice with Type 1 diabetes mellitus develop somatic, metabolic and vascular disorders
Author(s) -
Radu D. L.,
Georgescu Adriana,
Stavaru Crina,
Carale Alina,
Popov Doina
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
journal of cellular and molecular medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.44
H-Index - 130
eISSN - 1582-4934
pISSN - 1582-1838
DOI - 10.1111/j.1582-4934.2004.tb00324.x
Subject(s) - medicine , endocrinology , genetically modified mouse , diabetes mellitus , type 2 diabetes , transgene , insulin , hemagglutinin (influenza) , biology , type 2 diabetes mellitus , oxidative stress , immunology , virus , gene , biochemistry
The double transgenic mice (dTg) were obtained by mating: (i) transgenic mice expressing the hemagglutinin of influenza virus under the insulin promoter with (ii) transgenic mice expressing specific T lymphocytes with receptor for the immunodominant epitope of the same virus. In this study we show that dTg mice developed type 1 diabetes mellitus associated with hyperglycemia, low level of plasma insulin, glucosuria, weight loss and ∼ 90% mortality (at 3 months biological age). The membrane of red blood cells was more sensitive to osmotic shock in diabetic mice, compared to non‐diabetic mice, assessing systemic oxidative stress. Both vasoconstriction and vasorelaxation of the renal arteries decreased significantly in diabetic mice (compared to the control group of non‐diabetic mice) related to the phenotypic change of endothelium and smooth muscle cells within the artery wall. This animal model, may be used in developing various strategies to study pancreatic β‐cell function, as well as for a better metabolic control conducting to a reduced risk of vascular complications.