Boosting lymph node support cells to calm immune attacks in type 1 diabetes
Unraveling the tolerogenic potential of lymph node fibroblastic reticular networks in autoimmune diabetes
['FUNDING_R01'] · COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES · NIH-11133038
This work looks at whether special support cells in lymph nodes can teach the immune system to stop attacking insulin-producing cells in people with type 1 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (NEW YORK, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11133038 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
You should know researchers are studying fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs), a type of support cell in lymph nodes that can display insulin pieces to immune cells and may silence harmful T cells. The team compares FRCs from a mouse model of type 1 diabetes and from human pancreatic lymph node samples, measuring FRC frequency, insulin expression, and structural remodeling during inflammation. In lab experiments they watch how T cells respond when FRCs present insulin and test ways to restore or enhance FRC function. The overall aim is to learn whether strengthening FRC antigen presentation can delete or inactivate the T cells that attack beta cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates would be people with type 1 diabetes or organ donors whose pancreatic lymph nodes or immune cells can be made available for research.
Not a fit: People without autoimmune diabetes or those with long-standing, complete loss of insulin-producing cells are unlikely to receive direct benefit from this early-stage tissue and lab research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could lead to new treatments that retrain the immune system to tolerate beta cells and help prevent or slow type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Prior lab studies show FRCs can delete antigen-specific T cells and promote tolerance in models, but applying this approach to human type 1 diabetes is relatively new and unproven.
Where this research is happening
NEW YORK, UNITED STATES
- COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES — NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: CREUSOT, REMI J — COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCIENCES
- Study coordinator: CREUSOT, REMI J
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 below.
Conditions: Autoimmune Diabetes, Autoimmune Diseases