How Coxsackie B virus might make insulin-producing (beta) cells look foreign
Examining the Role of CVB in the Generation of Beta Cell Neoantigens and Targeted Approaches at Therapeutic Intervention
['FUNDING_R01'] · INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS · NIH-11324262
This research looks at whether Coxsackie B virus causes changes in insulin-making beta cells that could trigger the immune attack seen in people at risk for type 1 diabetes.
Quick facts
| Phase | ['FUNDING_R01'] |
|---|---|
| Study type | Nih_funding |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS (nih funded) |
| Locations | 1 site (INDIANAPOLIS, UNITED STATES) |
| Trial ID | NIH-11324262 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this research studies
The team will study how CVB infection causes stress inside beta cells and alters their proteins so they may appear foreign to the immune system. They will use infected beta cells and immune cells from lab models and human-derived samples to identify abnormally modified 'neo-antigens' and track how antigen-presenting cells show them to T cells. Researchers will also test targeted approaches in laboratory models to block the formation or presentation of those neo-antigens and reduce immune activation. The work focuses on mechanisms that could point to ways to prevent or slow autoimmune attacks on beta cells.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants would include people at risk for type 1 diabetes (for example those with diabetes-related autoantibodies), people newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, or healthy donors who can provide blood or tissue samples.
Not a fit: People with long-standing type 1 diabetes or those without signs of autoimmunity are less likely to receive direct benefit from this early laboratory-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could reveal targets to prevent or reduce autoimmune attacks on beta cells and lead to new therapies that slow or stop the development of type 1 diabetes.
How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have linked Coxsackievirus infections and beta-cell stress to autoimmunity, but moving from those findings to proven therapies remains largely untested.
Where this research is happening
INDIANAPOLIS, UNITED STATES
- INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS — INDIANAPOLIS, UNITED STATES (ACTIVE)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: PIGANELLI, JON D — INDIANA UNIVERSITY INDIANAPOLIS
- Study coordinator: PIGANELLI, JON D
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 Diseases