Figure 1

Experimental protocol and the effect of lymphotoxin-beta receptor-immunoglobulin fusion protein (LTβR-Ig) treatment on blood glucose levels and on submandibular gland inflammation. (a) A weekly injection (i) of either LTβR-Ig (LT) or mouse monoclonal IgG1 (MOPC 21) (MO). An isotype-matched control Ig was administered. Age-matched mice that were not treated (NT) were also examined. Saliva flow rate measurements were performed, and the mice were then euthanized and salivary glands were harvested (†). (b) Blood glucose levels of individual mice in the experiment. Horizontal lines indicate the median. At 19 weeks, the LTβR-Ig-treated group blood glucose level was significantly lower than that of the age-matched untreated mice (P < 0.001). Symbols refer to individual mice treated with LTβR-Ig (□), MOPC 21 (○), or no treatment (Δ). Each symbol indicates data from one mouse, and data were obtained on the day of euthanasia. The ratio index (c) and focus score (d) were used to analyze the level of inflammation in the submandibular glands. Each group comprised seven or eight mice. Bars indicate the mean and the standard error of the mean.