CD4/CD8 Antibodies Reduce Histopathological Damage in Salivary Glands of Spontaneously Diabetic Mice

Abstract Background and aims: Diabetes affects the metabolism promoting damage in different tissues, including salivary glands. Current treatments, such as insulin, are ineffective to recovery of these tissues. In this aspect, the immunotherapy has been tested, but it can be inefficient as an agent for the control of damage caused by diabetes. The aim of this study to evaluate the association in anti-CD4 and anti-CD8 monoclonal antibody in the recovery of salivary glands of diabetic NOD mice. Material and methods: Fifteen spontaneously diabetic mice (NOD) were divided into three groups with 5 animals each: group I (Balb/C control mice), group II (untreated NOD mice), group III (NOD mice treated with CD4 and CD8 antibodies). The CD4 and CD8 antibodies (IMUNY, Rheabiotech Ltda, Brazil) were administered by intravenously injections (25 ug/days: 0, 7, 14, and 21). After treatment salivary glands samples were analyzed by immunofluorescence, microscopy, light microscopy and stereology. (ethical approval process: 304/11), Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Kruskal-Wallis nonparametric test were used. Results: Elevated levels of glucose (mg/dl) were observed in untreated animals (group II) (605.25 ± 31.23, p≤0.05), whereas in treated animals (group III), were noted a decrease in these levels (464.77 ± 39.66, p≤0.05). Tissue restructure, characterized by cell volume recovery, also was observed in group III (nuclear volume of parotid glands: (109.91 ± 02.03, p≤0.05) and submandibular glands: (107.52 ± 02, p≤0.05) (cytoplasmic volume of parotid glands: (356.14 ± 26.34, p≤0.05) and submandibular glands: (331.22 ± 32.11, p≤0.05). Intense signaling (+++) of insulin receptors was observed in animals of group I. On the other hand, in group II was noted a reduction of these receptors (+). In treated animals (group III) were observed a recovery of the insulin receptors (+++). Conclusions: This treatment was effective in the recovery of salivary acinar cells, contributed also to homeostasis of body metabolism. Thus, this immunomodulation promoted a beneficial effect on the recovery of these tissues.