Type 1 diabetes is characterized by the infiltration of inflammatory cells into pancreatic islets of Langerhans, followed by the selective and progressive destruction of insulin-secreting beta cells. Isletinfiltrating leukocytes secrete cytokines such as IL-1␤ and IFN-␥, which contribute to beta cell death. In vitro evidence suggests that cytokine-induced activation of the transcription factor NF-B is an important component of the signal triggering beta cell apoptosis. To study the in vivo role of NF-B in beta cell death, we generated a transgenic mouse line expressing a degradation-resistant NF-B protein inhibitor (⌬NI B␣), acting specifically in beta cells, in an inducible and reversible manner, by using the tet-on regulation system. In vitro, islets expressing the ⌬NI B␣ protein were resistant to the deleterious effects of IL-1␤ and IFN-␥, as assessed by reduced NO production and beta-cell apoptosis. This effect was even more striking in vivo, where nearly complete protection against multiple low-dose streptozocin-induced diabetes was observed, with reduced intraislet lymphocytic infiltration. Our results show in vivo that beta cell-specific activation of NF-B is a key event in the progressive loss of beta cells in diabetes. Inhibition of this process could be a potential effective strategy for beta-cell protection.apoptosis ͉ cytokine ͉ diabetes ͉ transgenic mice ͉ insulin

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