A critical role for lymphotoxin-β receptor in the development of diabetes in nonobese diabetic mice

To assess the role of lymphotoxin-beta receptor (LT betaR) in diabetes pathogenesis, we expressed an LT betaR-Fc fusion protein in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice. The fusion protein was expressed in the embryo, reached high levels for the first 2 wk after birth, and then declined progressively with age. High expression of LT betaR-Fc blocked diabetes development but not insulitis. After the decline in chimeric protein concentration, mice became diabetic with kinetics similar to the controls. Early expression of fusion protein resulted in disrupted splenic architecture. However, primary follicles and follicular dendritic cells, but not marginal zones, developed in aged mice. Hence, LT betaR signaling is required for diabetes development and regulates follicular and marginal zone structures via qualitatively or quantitatively distinct mechanisms.