T cell function is impaired when primed with DC cultured in hyperglycemic conditions
We co-cultured mouse BMDC with mouse splenic T cells to investigate the impact of hyperglycemia on DC priming and T cell functions. T cells incubated with BMDC in the absence of AGE and LPS gradually reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines, IFN-\(\gamma\) and IL-17, which was inversely relative to the increasing glucose concentration (Figure 6. A, C). AGE and LPS resulted in activation of DC that further activated T cells. In comparison to the unstimulated cells, levels of both cytokines significantly increased in all glucose concentrations upon AGE and LPS-stimulation. Cytokines released from these activated cells showed an inverse correlation with the glucose concentrations. The level of IL-6 from T cells also decreased with increasing glucose concentration in the unstimulated culture. However, upon stimulation, IL6 significantly increased to approximately 1020 pg/mL in 5.5 mM, 11 mM, and 25 mM glucose concentrations. (Figure 6. B).