Animal models have contributed enormously to study in the field of type 1 diabetes. Perhaps the most intensively studied model
is the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse, which develops an autoimmune-mediated spontaneous diabetes associated with the development
of insulin autoantibodies and insulitis. Accurate measurement of antiislet autoantibodies by radioassay and detection of antigen-specific
T cells using major histocompatibility complex tetramers are possible. Various strategies have been developed in preventing
diabetes in animal models; a peptide-induced model of type 1 diabetes has been described. Finally, the development of peptide
vaccines is hampered by the risk of anaphylaxis in both mouse and humans. In this chapter, methods and strategies to measure
antiinsulin autoantibodies, to detect antigen-specific T cells by tetramer analysis, and to prevent diabetes using peptide
vaccines are discussed. Along with these topics, a protocol of peptide-induced diabetes and peptide vaccine-induced anaphylaxis
are described, serving as a reminder of the potential dangers that could exist in human trials. In summary, animal models
have become necessary in the study of type 1 diabetes and provide researchers important tools to conduct studies that could
not otherwise be performed in humans.
Key Words Anaphylaxis – animal model – autoantibody – autoimmune – insulin – NOD mouse – peptide – radioassay – radioimmunoassay – tetramer – type 1 diabetes – vaccine