How IL-17 signaling changes can cause inherited type 1 diabetes
IL17 Signaling in Monogenic Type 1 Diabetes
This project looks at whether rare gene changes that alter IL-17 immune signaling cause inherited forms of type 1 diabetes and how those changes lead the immune system to attack the pancreas.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of California, San Francisco NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (San Francisco, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11324968 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If you or family members have multiple generations with type 1 diabetes, researchers will sequence DNA to look for rare mutations in IL17C and IL17RC. They will study affected families and rare patients, compare those variants to large databases, and run lab tests to see how the mutations change IL-17 signaling and immune cell behavior. The work combines genetic analysis of people and laboratory experiments to link specific gene changes to the autoimmune attack on insulin-producing beta cells. Results are intended to clarify mechanisms behind monogenic autoimmune diabetes and guide future diagnostic and treatment options.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People or families with multiple relatives affected by early-onset or atypical type 1 diabetes, or those suspected of having a monogenic form of autoimmune diabetes, would be ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with common polygenic type 1 diabetes and no family history of inherited autoimmune disease are less likely to benefit directly from this genetic-focused work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: Could identify genetic causes of familial type 1 diabetes and point to new ways to prevent or treat autoimmune attacks on the pancreas.
How similar studies have performed: Previous gene-discovery work has successfully linked other immune genes (AIRE, FOXP3, CTLA4, LRBA, STAT1/3) to autoimmune diabetes, but the role of IL-17 signaling is less well understood.
Where this research is happening
San Francisco, United States
- University of California, San Francisco — San Francisco, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: German, Michael S — University of California, San Francisco
- Study coordinator: German, Michael 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 below.