Alpha-chain TCR metaclones in Type 1 Diabetes
Official title: Alpha-chain centric TCR metaclones in T1D
Funded at Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason · NIH-11455052 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers are studying specific immune cells in people with Type 1 diabetes to understand how they target insulin-producing cells and whether these signals seen in blood reflect what happens in the pancreas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Seattle, United States) |
| Project start | July 20, 2026 |
| Project end | June 30, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $267,000 |
| NIH project number | 1R21AI194089-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11455052 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Individuals with Type 1 diabetes or those at risk who have detectable islet antigen reactive T cells may be eligible for future related studies or trials.
✕Less likely to help
People without Type 1 diabetes or without autoreactive T cells may not benefit from this specific mechanistic research.
What this research studies
This project looks at how rare autoreactive T cells in the blood may mirror the immune activity inside the pancreas of people with Type 1 diabetes. It analyzes T cell receptor sequences from blood and pancreatic tissue to identify shared patterns called TRA-chain centric metaclones. By focusing on human samples and comparing circulating cells to pancreatic infiltrating cells, the study aims to uncover how these T cells recognize islet autoantigens. The findings could clarify mechanisms of autoimmunity in T1D and guide future therapeutic strategies.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Better understanding of how autoreactive T cells drive Type 1 diabetes could lead to targeted therapies that protect insulin-producing cells.
How similar studies have gone: Previous work has identified shared TCR patterns suggesting autoreactive mechanisms, but this exact TRA-chain centric metaclone concept is being tested for its role in T1D.
Where this research is happening
-
Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason
Seattle, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Linsley, Peter S — Benaroya Research Inst at Virginia Mason
- Study coordinator: Linsley, Peter S
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.